V-Hawk Baseball goes 0-4 at Columbia College after two close games

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Viterbo University Baseball team was swept by Columbia College in their four-game series on Monday and Tuesday. Despite going 0-4, Viterbo had two close games that came down to the end.

Game 1 - Viterbo 0, Columbia 4

Viterbo fell behind early and couldn't come back in a 4-0 loss to Columbia on Monday. Columbia College took the lead on an error in the first inning.

A single by Kendal Hofer in the fourth inning was a positive for Viterbo University V-Hawks Varsity. Hofer went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead the V-Hawks in hits.

Kyle Gilbertson took the loss for Viterbo. The righthander allowed seven hits and four runs over six innings, striking out six, and walking one.

Game 2 - Viterbo 2, Columbia 3

It came down to the last play, but Viterbo was on the wrong end of a 3-2 defeat to Columbia. The game was tied at two with Columbia batting in the bottom of the seventh when they singled on a 1-0 count, scoring one run.

The pitching was strong on both sides. The Columbia pitchers collectively struck out 12, while Viterbo sat down five. Eric Taylor took the loss for the V-Hawks. The righty lasted five innings, allowing three hits and two runs, while striking out four and walking one.

Hofer went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead Viterbo in hits for the second consecutive game.

Game 3 - Viterbo 2, Columbia 3

Both teams were strong on the mound on Tuesday, but Columbia was just a little bit stronger at the plate in a victory over Viterbo on Tuesday. The V-Hawks were unable to get anything going offensively until scoring two runs in the top of the seventh inning. However, that wouldn't be enough and Columbia would come away with the 3-2 win. Ben Strassman had a strong outing, starting the game for Viterbo and recording 15 outs. 

Cooper Fry, Marcus Hornacek, Remy Stern, and Cody Wells each collected one hit for the V-Hawks. 

Game 4 - Viterbo 2, Columbia 10

Columbia College had two big innings offensively, scoring three runs in the fourth inning and six runs in the fifth. 

Jacob Pinc took the loss for the V-Hawks. The pitcher lasted four innings, allowing six hits and seven runs while striking out one.

Blake Warner and Hornacek racked up an RBI in the game. Brandon Good and Stern drove in runs. 

The Viterbo Baseball team will begin conference play on Saturday, March 19 at Bellevue (Neb.). Their weekend series will begin with a doubleheader starting at 1:00 p.m. CST. Follow the action on viterboathletics.com or by following us on social media.