April 10, 2007

Game 1 Box Score

Game 2 Box Score

WHITEWATER, Wis. - In a doubleheader that was moved from Wuakesha to Whitewater just hours before it began, the Red Hawks proved that it didn't matter where they played Carroll College. Ripon defeated the Pioneers handily, 17-5 in game one and 10-2 in the second game, giving them a record tying 21st consecutive Midwest Conference victory.

Ripon (7-8, 4-0) didn't waste any time swinging the lumber. After two walks and a double steal to start the game, Chad Olson scored the first run of the game on an error by Carroll's catcher. The early lead was extended on an RBI double by Chevy Schultz. They would add two more runs on a balk and a sacrafice fly. Just when it looked as if Ripon would run away with the game, Carroll (6-10, 0-4) scored five runs of their own in the bottom of the first, thanks to a three-run homer by Jimmy Marlin.

After the opening inning, Ripon pitcher Greg Basthemer would settle down, not allowing another run the rest of the game, giving him his first win of the season, in three decisions. The Red Hawks would take the lead for good in the third, scoring three runs, thanks to run-scoring hits by Bo Johnson, Alex Duros, and Matt Dwyer.

The Red Hawks put the game out of reach in the last couple innings by scoring 10 runs, six in the sixth and four in the seventh, to give them the seven-inning victory, due to the mercy rule. Six Red Hawks finished the game with multiple hits. Kyle McFarland recorded three, while Olson, Johnson, Duros, Mac Shumann, and John Dunlavy each finished with two. Duros led the way with four RBI, while Johnson added three.

The second game started out much like the first, with Ripon striking first.  The Red Hawks scored at least once in each of the first three inning, helping them get out to a 5-0 lead, before Carroll scored their first run in the fourth. Ripon then added three runs in the sixth, which was capped off by a two-run double by Dunlavy. The Red Hawks added one run each in the seventh and ninth, en route to the four-game sweep.

Matt Dwyer (2-1) pitched eight strong innings for the Red Hawks, striking out a season best 10 batters, while giving up just five hits. Dunlavy led Ripon in the second game, going 3-for-5 with a double, a homerun, and 5 RBI. Brandan Birschbach added two hits of his own in his only two plate appearances.

The Red Hawks will play Beloit College in a four-game set this weekend, beginning with a pair of games Saturday at Beloit. Those games will begin at 1:00 p.m. With a victory in game one, Ripon will set the Midwest Conference record for most consecutive conference wins.