Lakers Fall Short In Slugfest At Purdue Northwest

HAMMOND, Ind. – Roosevelt's nine runs and 11 hits fell just short Tuesday in a 19-9 seven-inning slugfest against Purdue Northwest in Hammond, Ind.

The Lakers (4-3) wasted no time putting pressure on the Pride's pitching with five hits among the first six batters of the game. Bryce Hayman and Kekoa Ogawa hit back-to-back singles to set up James Berry's run-scoring drive into right field. Luis Delgado followed with a single up the middle to score another run then Jack Kieffer ripped a double down the left-field line to drive in a third run and put Roosevelt up 3-0 after the first.

Roosevelt's bats stayed hot in the second inning, though it was the team's approach at the plate that made a difference. Three consecutive walks loaded the bases for Berry's sacrifice fly to give the Lakers a 4-3 edge before Delgado drove everyone else home with a three-run shot. Hayman drove in another run in the third to put the Lakers up 8-3 before the Pride struck for 12 runs in the fifth inning.

Sammy Estrada tried to restart the offense with a two-out single in the sixth inning to finish 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored in the game. Delgado was 2 for 3 with a walk, two runs scored and four RBIs to lead the Lakers offense while Hayman and Jojo Mack both added multiple hits in the contest as well.

The Lakers will now travel to Florida for their annual spring break trip, which begins Friday at 1 p.m. with a doubleheader against Cornerstone.