Lakers Settle For Split With Cougars

CHICAGO – Jojo Mack drove in three runs to help Roosevelt split its Friday Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader with Saint Xavier in Chicago.

The senior outfielder had all three of his RBIs in the first game with both of his hits in the game leading to runs in a 6-3 Roosevelt win. The Lakers (16-13, 7-7 CCAC) nearly pulled off the sweep, but fell 3-2 in the second game of the day. The two teams will meet Saturday at Ozinga Field for another doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.

Saint Xavier jumped out to an early 2-0 lead against Jake Glickman, but the junior righty settled in after allowing the two-run homer. He recorded outs to the next two batters he faced in the first inning after the home run then faced the minimum in the second and stranded a two-out double in the third. It was enough to set the scene for the Roosevelt offense to tie the game.

Sammy Estrada walked in the fourth inning then Luca Paolucci and Sebastian Casillas both followed with singles to load the bases for Mack. Mack found the gap with a single that scored two runs to tie the game then moved up to second on an error. Bryce Hayman gave the Lakers the lead with a sacrifice fly, but the Cougars tied the game in the bottom of the inning.

In the sixth inning, Estrada drew yet another walk and Paolucci moved over courtesy runner Danny Holloway with a sacrifice bunt. Two batters later, Mack was back at the plate and he laced another single that gave the Lakers the lead for good. Paolucci then added to the lead in the seventh inning with a batted ball that forced an error in the outfield that allowed two runs to score.

Estrada reached base in all four plate appearances in the first game, adding a pair of singles to his two walks.

The Cougars again took a first-inning lead in the second game, but this time it was Estrada who forced the error that allowed the Lakers to tie the game. The catcher's hit to third base allowed Kekoa Ogawa to score to tie the game at one. Ogawa scored the Lakers' second run of the day off an error as well with James Berry's long drive forcing an error from the centerfielder. However, Saint Xavier scored an unearned run in the eighth inning to seal the win.

Caleb Moore threw five innings and allowed just five hits and two runs before Kellan Turner took over. The junior right-hander allowed just two hits and the only run charged to him was unearned while striking out three in three innings.