V-Hawks Split with Blue Hawks

LA CROSSE, Wis. – The Viterbo University Baseball team completed their home conference opening series with Dickinson State (ND) on Saturday by splitting games, taking the first 1-0, then losing the second, 3-6. The V-Hawks now sit at 4-24 (3-1 NSAA), while the blue Hawks are 3-20 (1-3 NSAA).

The first hit of the game would be a Blake Warner double coming in the bottom of the third, and while Brett Stuessel added his own double in the fourth. Brandon Janeke held down the defense, with eight strikeouts over the first four innings. DSU stranded two runners in the sixth, and one more in the eighth as they game went extra innings. But Viterbo would prevail as Warner's double set up Spencer Hans for the game-winning RBI single.

Warner led the V-Hawks, going 2-of-3, and three others had hits as well. Three different Blue Hawks recorded a hit. Brandon Jaenke (W, 1-6) struck out 14 batters in his complete game-shutout. Alex Stephens (L, 0-1) recorded the loss.

The second game started slow as well, with only two hits in the first three innings. Gavin Daniel's single brought home Cody Wells in the bottom of the fourth to get the V-Hawks on the board, but Dickinson tied the match in the top of the sixth. They would then use three hits and an error to score four runs in the eighth, and added insurance in the ninth. In the bottom of the final frame, Daniel brought home Brett Stuessel, and Marcus Hornacek batted in Garrett Heying, but the comeback ended there.

Daniel led Viterbo, going 2-of-4 with two RBIs. Luke Clinton had two hits and scored two runs for Dickinson. Jake Ouweneel recorded nine strikeouts, Ryan Gill (L, 0-1) recorded the loss, while Patrick Dietz (W, 1-2) recorded four K's and Trent Chavez earned the win.

Viterbo returns to action on Tuesday, March 19 as they host UW-Parkside.