WINTER HAVEN, FL - In a spring break match up at Winter Haven, Florida, the Beloit College baseball team (5-3, 0-0 MWC) split with Roger Williams University (2-4, 0-0 CNE). The Bucs suffered a 6-1 defeat in game 1 and rallied back to win game two 7-3.
Game 1:
Despite a strong pitching performance from senior Aiden Phipps (Simi Valley, Calif.), the Buccaneers struggled to generate offense, leaving 7 runners on base throughout the game.
Phipps started on the mound for Beloit, throwing 5 strong innings, allowing 4 runs on 8 hits while striking out 7. Joshua Stern (Malibu, Calif.) came in relief, allowing 2 runs on 1 hit and 2 walks in one inning of work.
Offensively, the Bucs managed only 5 hits. Seth Brankey (Salem, Wis.) had a single, and Miles Souza (Carpinteria, Calif.) drove in the team's only run with a single in the 7th, bringing Brody Bremer (Mesa, Ariz.), who pinch-ran for Brendan Meyers (Palatine, Ill.), across the plate. Blake Nelson (Monument, CO.) also had 2 hits, contributing to the team's overall offensive effort. Despite these individual efforts, the Buccaneers were unable to string together enough hits to mount a comeback.
Roger Williams capitalized on key opportunities, scoring a run in the first inning and adding two more in the second. Masino, Hibbard, Florio, and Cali each recorded an RBI for Roger Williams, with Hibbard contributing 3 hits and Cali adding a double.
Game 2:
The Buccaneers' offense was led by standout performances from several players. Brankey delivered a crucial double, driving in two runs, while Jack Alport (Arlington Heights, Ill.) contributed with a single, also bringing in a run. Connor Vogel (Palmdale, Calif.) and Aiden Wood (Chandler, Ariz.) each added an RBI single, further bolstering Beloit's lead. Nolan Tomsyck (Muskego, Wis) and Souza also contributed with RBIs.
On the mound, Ben Schweit (Simi Valley, CA.) earned the win for Beloit, pitching six strong innings and holding Roger Williams to just three runs. Harvey Pena (Riverside, Calif.) closed out the game, pitching a scoreless inning and securing the victory for the Buccaneers.
While Roger Williams managed to score three runs, they were ultimately unable to match Beloit's offensive output. Weigel, Faraca, and Cali each recorded an RBI for Roger Williams, but it wasn't enough to overcome Beloit's dominant performance.
The Buccaneers wrap up their week in the sunshine state tomorrow with games at 8 and 11 am CT. Game one will be against Greenville and game two will be agaisnt Calvin.
