V-Hawk baseball drops first two in Bellevue series at home

By Katie Frohmader, Athletic Communications Intern

LA CROSSE, Wis. – The Viterbo University Baseball team (8-11) dropped the first two games of a four-game series on Friday against (RV) Bellevue University (22-10). The V-Hawks lost game one 4-9 followed by a hard-fought 0-3 loss at the Viterbo Outdoor Athletics Complex.

Game 1 - Viterbo 4, Bellevue 9

· The Bruins bats were hot to start the game, loading the bases in the first inning. The V-Hawk defense held strong and left the bases loaded without giving up a run.

· Bellevue started the scoring in the second inning, with one run on two hits. Viterbo answered in the bottom of the second, scoring two runs on a Braxton Ghelfi (SR/West Salem, Wis.) double to right to give the V-Hawks their only lead of the game.

· The Bruins were able to score runs in the fifth, eighth, and ninth innings to regain and extend their lead.

· The V-Hawks started the bottom of the ninth with their first three batters reaching safely. Remy Stern (SO) was able to score a run on a Bellevue error. Nolan Glunz (SR/Woodbury, Minn.) walked, loading the bases for the V-Hawks with one out. Zach Earll (SR/Onalaska, Wis.) scored another V-Hawk run on a wild pitch, but the Bruins struck out the side, ending the game.

· Key Stats: Ben Strassman (JR) – 6 IP, 7 H, 3 K, 4 ER | Braxton Ghelfi – 2-5, 2 RBI, 2B (2)

Game 2 - Viterbo 0, Bellevue 3

· The Bruins were hot again in the first inning, hitting a solo home run to right field to get the scoring started.

· The V-Hawk defense was strong throughout the rest of the game. Jake Kleszcynski had a solid performance on the mound, allowing only two earned runs in seven innings pitched.

· Offensively, the V-Hawks had no answers for Bellevue pitcher Corey Jackson who struck out 18 Viterbo hitters while only allowing four hits.

· The Bruins were able to score two more runs playing small ball. They scored on a sacrifice bunt and a passed ball.

· Key Stats: Jake Kleszcynski – 7 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 7 K, 0 BB | Nolan Glunz 2-3

The Viterbo University Baseball team will be back in action on Saturday to conclude their four-game series against (RV) Bellevue University. 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.