V-Hawks Finish Regular Season in Split

LA CROSSE, Wis. – The Viterbo University Baseball team won one and lost one Saturday afternoon on senior day against St. Francis University.  The V-Hawks finish at 24-23 (CCAC 19-13) while the Fighting Saints also finish at 21-29 (CCAC 17-15).

Viterbo 2, St. Francis 5

The V-Hawks would tie up an opening run, remaining 1-1 until the top of the sixth when the Fighting Saints would score, a response would come in the bottom of the sixth with a Viterbo home run. Though the Fighting Saints would score three additional runs in the ninth.

Anthony Sanchez would open the game on the mound for seven innings, striking out four batters, over 102 pitches and 69 strikes. In relief Nolan Hines would pitch the two extra innings with a strikeout in 25 pitches for the loss.

Brett Stuessel would led at the plate with a home run, while Xavier Gilmore would also collect an RBI to send Spencer Hans home. In the field Stuessel, Nathan Faust and Dane Mediger would turn a double play.

Viterbo 5, St. Francis 3

Repeating the first inning of game one the V-Hawks would tie up the game in the bottom of the first, the Saints responding with a run to go up 2-1 in the second before a big third for the V-Hawks including a two run triple. To finish out the game the V-Hawks would widen the gap to up three before the Saints would score one last run that wouldn't be enough to close the gap.

On the mound, Cale Beckman would pitch the first six innings with six strikeouts, throwing 100 pitches and 72 strikes. Jomar Guzman would finish out the final inning in relief with a strikeout and four batters.

At the plate, Gilmore's triple and three RBIs would lead, Hans would take three sacrifice bunts, while Matt Monaghan on base would collect a stolen base.

The CCAC Conference Championships begin Thursday May 1 in Joliet, Ill.