Spartans strike out against Hawks
Apr. 10—The Southwestern Spartans (9-19) baseball team hosted Nebraska's Northeast Community College (26-8) over the weekend in what would end up being a sweep by the Hawks.
The Spartans had their most offensive game in Friday's first game where Drew Miller, Weston Barber, Alex Fascia, Joe Hedger, Jake Shedarowich, Mike Hudson and Yadiel Ortiz all scored for Southwestern and Eric Bello posted a homerun. The eight runs weren't enough to combat the Hawks' 19, including homeruns by Rusty Wortman and Kaden Young.
Barber, Bello and Shedarowich had runs in the second match up along with Jesus Riera, but nine runs by the Hawks in the top of the ninth inning handed the Spartans their toughest loss, 19-4.
The series finale Saturday began the way the others had with Northeast Community College getting out to a fast lead.
While the Hawks scored six runs in the first four innings, the Spartans failed to find home plate. In the fourth inning, the Spartans began to find their stride. It began with a single by Barber and was followed with a single by Riera to put two on base for the first time, but they failed to convert the hits into runs.
The Spartan defense quickly dispatched the Hawks in the top of the fifth to find themselves back up to bat, the score still 6-0.
Southwestern picked up where they had left off in the fourth, Ortiz setting the pace with a double to start the inning. Aidan Eklund was walked to first, putting two on base once again. A hit to left field got Jake Stroh to first, but found Ortiz out at third.
A single by Barber sent Eklund home to find their first run of the game before the inning ended.
A catch by Riera in the top of the sixth and a double-play at home found the Hawks again scoreless and the Spartans back on the offensive.
Back to back singles by Bello and Riera put two on base for the Spartans. Bello took advantage of a ticked ball and stole third. Amidst the defensive chaos, Riera followed suit, stealing second. An RBI by Shedarowich sent Bello home.
Ortiz found his second double of the day, sending Riera to home plate for their third run. Once the Hawks switched pitchers, the Spartans weren't able to find a hit, and the inning ended.
In the seventh inning, the Hawks got their groove back, finding nine runs before the Spartans could end the inning. After no runs in the bottom of the seventh, the game ended 15-3.
Southwestern will look to put an end to their eight-game losing streak Wednesday at home against Iowa Western Community College.
