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Game One Box Score

Game Two Box Score

KENOSHA, Wis. (Mar. 20, 2015)-- The University of Wisconsin-Parkside baseball squad had its home opener spoiled on Friday afternoon, dropping both ends of a doubleheader against Great Lakes Valley Conference interdivisional rival Rockhurst University at Carthage College's Augie Schmidt Field.
 
The Rangers (2-7, 1-5 GLVC) struck first in game one, plating a run in the bottom of the first with Jake Kolasinski doubling in Zach Cunningham. The Hawks (11-6, 4-2 GLVC) tied the game on a wild pitch in the third before seizing the lead later in the frame on an infield single to grab the 2-1 lead.
 
Rockhurst tacked on two more scores in the seventh, upping its advantage to 4-1 but the Rangers countered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning with Ryan Ruediger blasting a two-RBI double with two outs to score Troy Bittenbender and Nick Janssen.
 
The Hawks tacked on an insurance score in the eighth and held on for the 5-3 win in the opener.
 
Bittenbender, Ruediger, Kolasinski, and Nick Janssen all finished with multiple hits in game one to pace the Rangers.
 
Nate Stolte was hit with the loss for the Rangers, allowing two earned runs and striking out five in 3 2/3 innings of work. Joseph Plaud closed out the game, tossing the final 5 1/3 innings and fanning three batters. Rockhurst's Joe Huber collected the complete game victory, striking out seven and allowing three earned runs.
 
In the nightcap, the Rangers attempted a furious rally in the sixth inning but ultimately fell short, succumbing 7-5 to the visitors. The Hawks pushed across a run an unearned run in the first inning before plating two runs in the third to stake a 3-0 lead.
 
The floodgates opened in the top of the sixth with RU collecting four runs but the Rangers battled back in the bottom of the frame, utilizing a two-out rally to score five runs.
 
Patience at the plate paid dividends for the Rangers with Bittenbender getting on base by drawing a walk. Zach Cunningham belted an infield single before Taylor Higgins followed suit with a base knock of his own, driving in Bittenbender to break up the shutout. Jake Kolasinski drew a walk to load the bases before DJ Peltz did the same, taking four pitches to bring in Cunningham. Darius Hampton brought in a run before AJ Kaprelian singled to right center field to score a pair of runs and knock RU's starting pitcher out of the game. Zach Thompson drew a walk to again load the bases but reliever Alex Merithew retired the first batter he faced to stymie the rally.
 
Merithew retired the Rangers in order in the seventh to secure the save and give Rockhurst the 7-5 win and the doubleheader sweep.
 
Josh Serio was saddled with his first loss of the season, lasting five innings and striking out six while allowing two earned runs. Rockhurst's Michael Lydon-Lorson netted the win, handling the opening 5 2/3 innings and striking out four while Merithew closed the final 1 1/3 innings, retiring all four hitters he faced.
 
The Rangers and Hawks close out the series on Saturday, returning to the artificial turf at Augie Schmidt Field for a twinbill beginning at noon.