Vikings split doubleheader with Lakeland

APPLETON, Wis. — The Lawrence University baseball team put together a big rally in the sixth inning of the opener for a win and went on to split a nonconference doubleheader with Lakeland College on Tuesday at Val Wylie Field.

Lawrence took the opener 12-11, and Lakeland (10-21) won the nightcap 7-5.

Jake Gordon, Aaron Benz and Luke Zablocki all had two hits for the Vikings (5-17) in the first game, and Marc Linger drove in three runs while Zablocki and Dan Taylor both had a pair of RBI.

Drew Doares worked two innings of one-hit relief to pick up his second win of the season. Derek Loomans pitched one inning and took the loss.

Lawrence grabbed a 7-4 lead with five runs in the bottom of the third. The Vikings took advantage of two walks and two errors in the inning, and Taylor delivered a big two-run single.

The Muskies struck back with seven runs over the next three innings to grab an 11-7 lead heading to the bottom of the sixth. The Vikings started the sixth with four consecutive hits, including a two-run single by Zablocki that cut the lead to 11-9. The Vikings had the bases loaded with one out when Linger grounded out and Zablocki scored. Brandon Klar then reached on an error, and Sam Kossow scored to tie the game at 11-11. Joel Birch followed with a single to score Taylor and Lawrence led 12-11.

Doares then retired the Muskies in order in the seventh to secure the win.

In the nightcap, Lawrence collected only four hits. Benz went 2-for-4 to pace the Vikings, and Zablocki drove in a pair of runs.

Lakeland led 4-0 and Jared Rear was working on a no-hitter until things fell apart in the fourth. Gordon broke up the no-hitter with a one-out infield single, and Benz followed with a single. Zablocki hit into a fielder’s choice, but an argument ensued when Zablocki was called safe at first. Both Lakeland third baseman AJ Dollinger and head coach Mike Bachar were ejected.

Gordon scored on the play, and Rear then walked Kossow and hit Brandon Vamarasi to load the bases. Taylor and Linger then both drew bases-loaded walks to cut the lead to 4-3.

After Lakeland tacked on a run in the top of the fifth, Lawrence scored twice in the bottom half of the inning. Benz had a run-scoring triple, and Zablocki followed with a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 5-5.

The Muskies pulled ahead with two runs in the top of the sixth with Tim Kuchenbecker delivering a two-run single against Max Markoff. Luke Mandich completed 2.1 innings of scoreless relief by setting the Vikings down in order in the seventh to pick up the win.

Game one box score

Game two box score