|
RIPON, Wis. - The Red Hawks began this year's conference season just as they ended last year's, with a win. After a sweep of Carroll College Monday afternoon, Ripon has now won 19 consecutive conference games, dating back to 2005. They defeated the Pioneers 12-10 in come-from-behind fashion in game one, before having a bit more breathing room in the second game, completing the sweep with an 11-3 victory.
The first game started out as a slugfest, with the two teams combining for 21 hits through the first four innings. Ripon (5-8, 2-0) struck first with a run in the first when Chevy Schultz drove in Chad Olson with a single. Carroll's bats would get going in the second inning, as they put up a five spot to take the lead. That wouldn't last long, as Ripon added five runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning. The Pioneers (6-8, 0-2) weren't done though, as they went ahead again in the third with three runs of their own. After four innings of play, the Red Hawks trailed
10-8.
After the fourth, both team's bats cooled off considerably, until the bottom of the seventh when Ripon made one final push for the win. After a Bryant Bullock sac fly, Olson tied the game with a single that scored Bo Johnson. The next batter, Kyle McFarland, would give Ripon the lead for good, with a little help from the Pioneers. McFarland hit a fly ball to the outfield, but it was mishandled by the Pioneer's centerfielder, allowing Olson and Matt Dwyer to come across the plate. Bryant Bednarek would lock up the win for the Red Hawks after that, not allowing a hit the rest of the game, giving him his first win of the season in as many decisions.
The second game was a lot less hectic, as neither team recorded a hit until the third inning. Ripon struck first in the opening inning after a leadoff walk and subsequent steal of second by Olson. He would come around to score on two consecutive fielder's choices. Carroll tied the game in the third inning, before taking their lone lead of the game in the fourth on a solo homerun by Chris Elliott.
That lead wouldn't last long. Johnson tied the game with a single to center, which scored Schultz from second base. The Red Hawks then took the lead for good on a Will Gillis single. The inning was capped off by an RBI double by Matt Dwyer. The Red Hawks then put the game out of reach by scoring six runs in the seventh and one more in the eighth.
Jordan Baitinger pitched seven strong innings of four hit ball for the win. He also struck out five batters. Dwyer led the Red Hawks, going three-for-four with three RBI. Johnson, Mac Shumann, and John Dunlavy each added two RBI apiece.
These two teams will be in action once again on Tuesday, as they'll play a doubleheader in Waukesha, Wis. The first game will begin at 1:00 p.m.
|
Back 