V-Hawks Drop Series to Park

PARKVILLE, Mo. – The Viterbo University Baseball team suffered a pair of setbacks to Park University (Mo.) on Sunday afternoon, 15-2 and 7-2. The V-Hawks fall to 1-14 on the year, while the Pirates improve to 8-0.

The V-Hawks had two hits in the top of the first, but the Pirates responded in a big way, scoring six runs on five hits in the bottom of the first inning. In the third, Park added to the lead with five more runs on four hits. Over the next three innings, the V-Hawks were able to produce baserunners, but unable to bring them home as the Park lead increased. Spencer Hans double in the seventh brought home Matthew Monaghan and Taylor Claman to bring the final score to 15-2.

Brett Stuessel went 2-of-2 for the V-Hawks, while Hans was 1-of-1 with two RBIs. Four other V-Hawks also added hits. Victor Sanchez-Ramos was 2-of-2 with two RBIs for Park. Joe Nelan recorded the loss, and Adam Stilts (W, 2-0) had five strikeouts in the win.

In the second game, Blake Warner singled in the first, but the Pirates put up two runs in the bottom of the frame. They then added two more in the second. Gavin Daniel solo homered in the third to get Viterbo on the board, and in the fifth, Hans scored on an error. Park extended their lead with a run in the fifth, and two in the sixth for the 7-2 final.

Five V-Hawks recorded hits, including Carson Reinhardt going 1-of-1. Billy Rivera went 2-of-3 with an RBI for the Pirates. Adam Olson (L, 1-2) had one strikeout, and Cale Beckman had three in relief. Bryan Aguirre (W, 1-0) struck out five batters.

Viterbo returns to action on Friday March 1 with a series at Columbia (Mo.).