Lakers Split Non-Conference Baseball Doubleheader Versus Siena Heights

ADRIAN, Mich. – The Roosevelt University baseball team traveled to Adrian, Mich. on Sunday, March 20, splitting a non-conference doubleheader versus Siena Heights University with a 3-2 loss in game one and a 7-0 victory in game two.  The Lakers now own a 7-9 overall record this season.

In the opening game, the Lakers took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first after Diego Gutierrez singled, stole two bases, and scored on a Jaylen Heard base hit.  Siena Heights tied the game in the bottom of the second inning on two hits and the score remained 1-1 until the seventh inning.

Jojo Mack got things started in the top of the seventh for Roosevelt, earning a pinch-hit walk and advancing to second on a ground out and then to third on a Gutierrez base hit.  Mack came in to score on a fielder's choice by Nick McAlister to give the Lakers a 2-1 advantage heading into the bottom half of the final inning.

The Saints got a leadoff single to begin the inning, but RU starter TJ Murray got two batters out and had the home team down to their last strike.  Unfortunately, the Saints hit a two-run, walk-off homerun to stun the Lakers and win the game 3-2.

The Lakers scored runs in each of the first five innings of the second game, posting two runs in both the first and third innings, while adding solo runs in the second, fourth, and fifth innings.  While the RU bats provided an offensive spark, Isaac Riegler shut down the Saints, pitching a seven-inning, three-hit shutout for his second win of the season.

In the first inning, Gutierrez reached on an error to lead off, stole second, and tagged up on a fly out to reach third.  McAlister then singled through the left side to bring in Gutierrez and then advanced to third on a stolen base and a wild pitch.  Heinlein drove in McAlister with a sacrifice fly to right field for a 2-0 lead.

Bryan Fox led off the second with a walk and his pinch runner, Luca Paolucci, reached third on a sacrifice bunt and fielder's choice.  Jesus Gomez then hit a sacrifice fly to center to bring in Paolucci for a 3-0 advantage.

The third inning saw the Lakers load the bases with one out after back-to-back singles from Heinlein and Heard with Fox following with a walk.  Olszewski singled to score Heinlein and Sabo reached on an error to bring in Heard.

In the fourth inning, McAlister drove in Gutierrez on a ground out with Gutierrez reaching on a walk and reaching third on a wild pitch and stolen base.  Another walk, this time by Tom Sabo, got things going in the fifth with Gomez singling to move Sabo to third and Gutierrez also singling to score the runner.

GAME ONE DETAILS

Score:   Roosevelt            1  0  0  0  0  0  1                 2   5   2
                Siena Heights     0  1  0  0  0  0  2                 3   5   1

Records: Roosevelt 6-9 | Siena Heights 6-13

Location: Siena Heights Baseball Diamond | Adrian, Mich.

KEY STATS

• Daniel Gutierrez went 2-for-4 with a run scored & two stolen bases
• Hunter Darst was 2-for-2 with a triple
• Jaylen Heard & Nick McAlister each drove in a run
• TJ Murray suffered the loss to fall to 1-3 on the year, allowing three runs on five hits in 6 2/3 innings pitched with three strikeouts & two walks

GAME TWO DETAILS

Score:   Roosevelt            2  1  2  1  1  0  0                 7   7   1
                Siena Heights     0  0  0  0  0  0  0                 0   3   2

Records: Roosevelt 7-9 | Siena Heights 6-14

Location: Siena Heights Baseball Diamond | Adrian, Mich.

KEY STATS

• Isaac Riegler went the full seven innings on the mound for his second straight win to raise his record to 2-1 on the year, allowing just three hits to go with five strikeouts & a walk
• Trevor Heinlein went 2-for-3 with a double, RBI & run scored
• Daniel Gutierrez was 1-for-2 with a RBI & two runs scored
• Nick McAlister went 1-for-4 with two runs batted in & a run scored
• Andrew Olszewski & Jesus Gomez were both 1-for-2 with an RBI
• Jaylen Heard went 1-for-4 with a run scored
• Tom Sabo drove in a run & also scored a run

NEWS & NOTES

• The Lakers are now 3-2 versus the Saints in the all-time series
• Trevor Heinlein & Nick McAlister lead the team with 12 runs batted in each

NEXT UP

The Lakers return to CCAC Conference action on Tuesday, March 22 when they square off against Trinity Christian College in a doubleheader.  The first game starts at 1pm at Schaaf Athletic Complex in Palos Heights, Ill.