BELOIT, Wis. – The Beloit College baseball team wrapped up their series against the Grinnell College Pioneers today, splitting the doubleheader. The Buccaneers (19-11, 7-5 MWC) secured a decisive 8-3 victory over Grinnell College (17-14, 5-7 MWC) in game one before falling 3-16 in game two in Midwest Conference action Saturday afternoon at Strong Stadium.
Game 1:
Powered by a four-hit performance from Connor Vogel (Palmdale, Calif.) and a crucial three-run homer by Elijah Love (Madison, Wis.). Beloit wasted little time getting on the board, exploding for four runs in the bottom of the second inning. Miles Souza (Carpinteria, Calif.) led off with a double and scored the game's first run on an RBI single by Blake Nelson (Monument, CO.). The Buccaneers then capitalized on Grinnell miscues, with Brody Bremer (Mesa, Ariz.) and Nelson scoring on an error, followed by an RBI single from Jack Alport (Arlington Heights, Ill.) to make it 4-0. Three of the four runs in the inning were unearned.
After Grinnell got one run back in the top of the third, Beloit responded emphatically in the bottom half. Following a double by Vogel and an error allowing Aiden Wood (Chandler, Ariz.) to reach, Love crushed a three-run home run, pushing the Buccaneer lead to 7-1.
Grinnell chipped away with two runs in the fifth, taking advantage of a Beloit error, but the Buccaneer pitching staff held firm from there.
Vogel added the final insurance run for Beloit in the eighth inning, driving home Seth Brankey (Salem, Wis.), who reached on Grinnell's fourth error of the day to make it 8-3.
Vogel finished the day a remarkable 4-for-5 with two doubles, an RBI, and a run scored. Love's homer accounted for his team-leading three RBIs. Alport and Nelson each contributed two hits and an RBI. Brankey scored twice for the Buccaneers.
On the mound, starter Ben Schweit (Simi Valley, CA.) battled through six innings to earn the win. He scattered nine hits and allowed three runs while striking out three and walking one. Maddon McArthur (Redondo Beach, Calif.) slammed the door in relief, pitching three perfect innings with one hit allowed and three strikeouts to collect his fifth save of the season. McArthur needed only 29 pitches to secure the final nine outs.
Beloit outhit Grinnell 12 to 10 and took advantage of four Pioneer errors, while committing only one themselves.
Game 2:
Grinnell jumped out to an early lead, plating three runs in the top of the first inning on doubles by Goodson and Kelly. Beloit answered back immediately in the bottom half. Brankey was hit by a pitch to lead off, advanced on a fly out, and eventually scored on an error following a Vogel single, cutting the lead to 3-1.
However, Grinnell's bats stayed hot, adding four runs in the second and another four in the third inning, quickly extending their lead to 11-1. The damage came via multiple hits and aided by Beloit defensive miscues.
Beloit starter Eamon Burke (Helena, Mont.)battled through 1.2 innings, allowing seven hits and seven earned runs while striking out one. The Buccaneers utilized several arms out of the bullpen, including Souza, Erick Tiegs (Waukesha, Wis.), Micah Wilk (Martinez, Calif.), Caleb Lasher (Albuquerque, N.M.) Nolan Wright (Carmel, Ind.), and Sutton Bassett (Carlsbad, Calif), but struggled to contain the Grinnell lineup, which amassed 17 hits on the day.
The Buccaneers showed a spark in the bottom of the fifth. Brankey led off with a single to shortstop and stole second. Alport drew a walk, putting two runners on. Vogel delivered again, lacing a double to center field that scored both Brankey and Alport, making the score 11-3.
That would be the extent of Beloit's scoring, however, as Grinnell added a run in the sixth and four more in the seventh, capped by a three-run homer from Tashjian.
Offensively, Vogel was the clear standout for Beloit, going 3-for-3 with two doubles and two RBIs. Brankey reached base twice, scored two of Beloit's three runs, singled, and stole a base. Wood and Nelson added the only other hits for the Buccaneers. The team struggled defensively, committing five errors in the contest.
Beloit hitters managed six hits and drew three walks but struck out twice against Grinnell pitching.
The Bucs have a quick turnaround before hosting Knox College on Tuesday. First pitch is set for 1 pm from the Ballpark at Strong Stadium.
