The baseball team split a doubleheader against Marian College last Sunday. The Vikings lost the opener 14-2, but came back to win the nightcap 8-5. The Vikings’ record is now 10-8 for the year.
The first game started out rough for Lawrence, as Viking starter Josh Richie only lasted an inning and a third. Marian chased Richie, adding seven points in the second-inning to its one in the first. Chris Clouthier came on in relief for the Vikings and gave up three runs over three-and-a-third innings, and Tom Ritzer finished off the game with two-and-a-third scoreless innings of relief.
The Vikings scored one run in the third on an Andrew Wong RBI single scoring Brad Hauser, and one in the seventh as Kevin Fitzsimmons doubled in Tim O’Toole for the Vikings’ final run.
The second game went much more smoothly for the Vikings. The game was tied at five until a three-run inning by the Vikings in the bottom of the eighth gave them the lead for good. B. J. Chase started the game for the Vikings and gave up five runs in six innings worked. Chase struck out seven Marian batters. Ritzer would pitch another three shutout innings in relief and pick up the win, his second of the season. Ritzer only gave up one hit the three innings he pitched.
On offense, LU started fast out of the gates with three runs in the first. Fitzsimmons hit a three-run homer run to left field, scoring Hauser and O’Toole. The Vikings got another run in the third as Fitzsimmons scored on a Marian error on a ball hit by right fielder Ben Webster. LU added another run in the sixth as Billy Bodle doubled and then scored on a double by Hauser. Marian tied the game at five in the top of the seventh, but in the bottom of the eighth LU scored three runs on three RBI doubles by Bodle, Hauser and Wong. Hauser would be the offensive player of the day, ending his game 3-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored.
The Vikings are next in action Saturday afternoon at Whiting Field for a doubleheader against Beloit. The Vikings then travel to the Buccaneers’ home field for another twin bill on Sunday. Game time for both days is 1 p.m. LU then has a game against perennial WIAC power UW-Oshkosh at the Fox Cities Stadium next Wednesday at noon.
Vikes split home pair
