This past week for the Lawrence University baseball team has been simply incredible. There are far too many highlights, statistics, and players that had great performances to acknowledge.
Examples of the Vikings’ success include Chris Clouthier, who picked up his first career complete game shutout by stifling Carroll College batters. Backing up Clouthier was the Viking’s strong offense led by Tommy Schmidt, who went four for four with three RBIs.
Then, in the nightcap of the doubleheader, strikeout king Kevin Kangas battled long and got his fourth win. If you see Forseth, give him a high five for hitting a two-run homerun near the end of the game to give the Vikings a 4-3 lead. He hit another bomb on Sunday as well.
Sunday’s doubleheader was a complete slugfest. Tommy Schmidt, who was MWC player of the week, went an impeccable 5-5 with six RBIs. If you see him, ask him what cereal he eats and I would recommend going to buy some ASAP!
Schmidt’s bashing brother, Hawk Haiduke, went 5-6 with four runs batted in on a grand slam. Josh Richie got a well-deserved win in the first game and Brad Hauser came in relief of him to pick up his second save of the season.
This past Tuesday the Lawrence men faced off against UW-Whitewater, a team that has given the Vikings a lot of trouble in the past. The Vikings were not intimidated and took the win in the first game 12-6.
Luke Kostreva had a terrific pitching performance shutting the good hitting UW-Whitewater down, and then Brad Hauser once again came into the relief “zone” right away, finishing the game off and sealing Kostreva and the Vikings a win.
Senior Tim O’Toole finished his baseball career in style, sending two over the fence in the opener, and belting out a triple in his last career at bat in the second game.
UW-Whitewater took the latter game of the doubleheader comfortably, however, to end the Vikings season. A rather crazy play occurred during the final game, however, that involved senior outfielder Billy Bodle.
Bodle broke through and got Lawrence’s first hit of the game in the fifth inning on a rather illegal play. Bodle hit a single on a play in which the ball clearly hit off his hand. A ball is not considered in play if it hits off of the batter’s hand.
The umpires did not see the ball hit off the batter’s hand, however, and once everyone realized it was a hit the concern turned towards Bodle, who had not only taken an 80 mph pitch off his finger, but had also taken a lunging dive into first to complete the single.
When asked if he was all right to run, Bodle responded with, “Yeah, I got nothing to lose.”
It turns out Bodle broke his finger and pulled his groin on the play, but you would have had to take more than that away from senior Billy Bodle to keep him from playing his last game.
The heart shown by Billy is a commonality within the Lawrence baseball team and the Lawrence seniors in particular.
Having played with them as a freshman myself last year and watching them again this year, I know how dedicated and driven all of the seniors are.
Within this past week, the Vikings finally played up to their potential and competed well against some tough teams. When the seniors were asked what they would miss most about playing for the Vikings they all responded with very similar answers.
Senior Brad Hauser commented, “You know.the guys. That’s the best part about playing — the friendships you have.” I would tell the readers of the article to wish these guys luck, but in my mind they don’t really need it.
The seniors on this team are smart, driven and for sure ready to face any fastball, curveball or hard hit grounder in the great game of life.
Baseball season comes to an end
