Ninth-inning rally lifts Lawrence past Colby

FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Lawrence University baseball team scored a run in the bottom of the ninth to edge Colby College 8-7 in a nonconference game Sunday.

The Mules had tied it with a run in the top of the ninth, but Sam Kossow led off the bottom of the ninth with a single for Lawrence (1-4). The Vikings attempted to bunt Kossow over to second, but the Mules were able to get the lead runner out on the play.

Pinch-runner Richie Foreman was at first and a balk moved him to second. Foreman stole third on the next pitch, and Colby intentionally walked Josh Graber and Joel Birch to load the bases. Alex Brewer then hit a grounder to shortstop, and the Mules forced out Birch at second but Brewer was safe at first. Foreman scored on the play to give Lawrence the victory.

Kossow led Lawrence’s 11-hit attack by going 3-for-5 with three runs scored. Birch went 2-for-4 and drove in two runs, and Davide Harris was 2-for-5 with two runs batted in.

Colby built a 6-2 lead through five innings, but Lawrence grabbed the lead with five runs in the bottom of the sixth. Kossow started the rally with a single, and a Marc Linger walk and Graber single loaded the bases. Birch then smacked a two-run double to cut the lead to 6-4. Darvis PridGeon then grounded out to drive in another run, and Harris followed with a two-run single to give Lawrence a 7-6 lead. 

Brewer pitched the final 1.2 innings to pick up his first collegiate victory for the Vikings. Freshman Davis Ogilvie made the start and went six innings. He allowed eight hits and only two earned runs while striking out five and walking three.