Luke Bacci (
Jr.-Grayslake, Ill.) had a career day at the plate but Cardinal Stritch University erupted for nine runs over the sixth and seventh innings to break open a tie game and defeat the Lakeland College baseball team 12-6 in a non-conference game Thursday afternoon.
The Wolves' Bryan Merkes hit a pair of two-run home runs, including the go-ahead blast in the sixth inning that broke a 3-3 tie and came just after the Muskies had scored three in the fifth to tie it. Stritch also added seven more runs in the seventh and went on to win the single nine-inning game, dropping Lakeland to 6-23 this season.
The Muskies lost despite an outstanding afternoon for Bacci, who went 5-for-5 at the plate with five singles. He also played a role in the team's brief surge back from an early deficit to tie the game.
Lakeland surrendered three runs to the Wolves (15-16 overall) in the first inning but rallied to tie in the fifth with three consecutive RBI singles.
Sam Martin (
So.-Milton, Wis.), Bacci and
Brady Callahan (
Sr.-Sheboygan, Wis.) all singled in runs, with Callahan's tying the game.
Merkes broke the tie in the sixth with a one-out, two-run homer off
Jared Schaaf (
So.-Sauk City, Wis.) and then added another in the seven-run seventh inning. All seven runs were unearned and came after two were out as the Muskies committed four errors in the inning.
Lakeland was able to chip away with a pair of runs in the eighth and another in the ninth to make the final score respectable.
Ryan Boettcher (
Sr.-Bonduel, Wis.) doubled to score
Bryce Skelton (
Jr.-Delavan, Wis.),
Brandon Glaeser (
Jr.-Newton, Wis.) grounded out to the right side to score
A.J. Dollinger (
Sr.-Ashwaubenon, Wis.) and Dollinger added an RBI single in the ninth to score Bacci.
Dollinger had two hits in the game as the Muskies finished with 12 hits as a team. Cardinal Stritch finished with 13 hits and was led by Chad Mazur with three hits.
Lakeland is home again on Saturday when it welcomes Rockford University for a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference doubleheader beginning at noon. The Muskies also will honor seniors Boettcher, Callahan and Dollinger with Senior Day festivities between the two games.
