Offense and Defense Shine in Home Opener Wins

LA CROSSE, Wis. – The Viterbo University Baseball team hosted their home conference opener on Friday, defeating Dickinson State (ND) 1-0 and 19-5. The V-Hawks now sit at 3-23 (2-0) while the Blue Hawks fall to 2-19 (0-2).

Both teams would bat through the entire order over the first three innings with no players reaching a base. Cale Beckman had six strikeouts in the first four innings, before Blake Warner recorded the first hit of the game, a double in the bottom of the fourth. Spencer Hans brought him home, but the V-Hawks would leave three runners stranded. Another three V-Hawks would be left on in the fifth following a Camden Smith single, but VU's defense held on for the 1-0 win.

Four V-Hawks recorded a single hit, while only two Blue Hawks reached base, on two errors. Cale Beckman (W, 1-3) recorded the complete game no-hitter with eight strikeouts. Trent Richter (L, 0-5) struck out two batters.

The V-Hawks took control of the second game right away with four hits and two runs in the bottom of the first. DSU evened the score at 2-2 with back-to-back solo homers in the top of the third. However, in the bottom of the innings, Cody Lozano and Smith recorded RBI's and Warner added two as VU took control again. The Blue Hawks managed two more runs in the fifth, but Viterbo matched it again, this time with a huge seven hits and 11 runs for the 17-4 lead, highlighted by two Warner HRs. Dickinson managed an RBI single in the sixth, but Viterbo continued to extend their lead with a 2 RBI single from Warner, bringing the final score to 19-5.

Warner led the V-Hawks, going 5-for-5 with nine RBIs and two home runs. Brett Stuessel added another three hits, and Ryan Mesa batted in three runs. Cameron Erickson was 2-of-3 with two RBIs. Adam Olson (W, 2-2) struck out four batters, while Cooper Van Luchene (L, 1-3) had three.

The V-Hawks return to action on Saturday, March 16, completing their series with the Blue Hawks.