Viterbo splits with Presentation after exciting game two walk-off

By Katie Frohmader, Athletic Communications Intern

LA CROSSE, Wis. – The Viterbo University Baseball team (6-9) kicked off NSAA play on Sunday with a doubleheader against Presentation College (5-19). The V-Hawks split the first two games of the four-game series, losing game one 6-13 and winning game two 3-2 in walk-off fashion.

Game 1 - Viterbo 6, Presentation 13

· The V-Hawks got the scoring started in the bottom of the 2nd inning after a leadoff solo home run by Cole Benson (SR/Hastings, Minn.).

· Viterbo starting pitcher, Ben Strassman (JR), held Presentation to zero runs on one hit through the first three innings. However, the V-Hawk defense got a bit sloppy in the top of the 4th, committing two errors, and the Saints were able to capitalize by scoring three runs.

· The V-Hawks answered in their next two times up to bat, getting an RBI from Darrian Escobar-Winter (SO/Falcon, Colo.) in the 4th and two RBIs from Kevin Brandt (SR/Janesville, Wis.) in the 5th to take a 4-3 lead after five innings.

· The Saints quickly answered, scoring six runs in the top of the 6th followed by four more unanswered runs in the top of the 8th inning.

· In their last at-bat, Viterbo was able to gain a bit of momentum from a Nolan Glunz (SR/Woodbury, Minn.) two-run home run, but it wasn't enough for the comeback.

· Key Stats: Ben Strassman – 5 IP, 3 hits, 2 ER, 5 K. Kevin Brandt – 2-4, 2B, BB, 2 Runs, 2 RBI. Nolan Glunz – 2-5, HR, 1 Run, 2 RBI.

Game 2 - Viterbo 3, Presentation 2

· The second game was much more of a pitching duel than game one. The Saints put the first run on the board in the top of the second after a solo home run.

· The V-Hawks had chances to score in innings two and three but left runners on third base in both instances.

· Viterbo surrendered another run in the top of the 5th inning after a throwing error allowed the runner to get home.

· The V-Hawks were able to score their first run in the bottom of the 6th after sloppy defense by the Saints allowed Cole Benson to reach base and advance to second. Darrien Escobar-Winter brought him in with a single. Zach Braun (JR/Hartford, Wis.) followed the at-bat with a double, but Escobar-Winter was called out on a close play at the plate to end the inning.

· Coming into their last at-bats, the V-Hawks got the hitting started, reaching base on a single and an error. Nolan Glunz hit a deep double off the fence, scoring one run while the Saints were again able to throw out the second Viterbo runner at home plate.

· With two outs in the bottom of the 7th, Benson reached on an infield single, sending Glunz to third. Adam Helgeson (JR/West Salem, Wis.) stepped up to the plate and delivered the big single the V-Hawks needed, scoring Glunz and sending everyone home.

· Key Stats: Jake Klesczynski – 6.1 IP, 5 hits, 2 ER, 7 K. Adam Helgeson – 2-4, 2B, game-winning RBI.

The Viterbo University Baseball team will be back in action on Monday to conclude their four-game series against Presentation College. Game one will begin at 12:00 pm CT with game two to follow. Follow the action on our website or by following us on social media.