A solid pitching performance throughout the game, coupled with two key innings offensively, led to Seattle University's 4-1 victory over Concordia University in baseball action Friday night at Bannerwood Stadium.
Seafth Howe (Seattle, Wash.) picked up his third win of the season, scattering eight hits in six innings on the mound with the only tally being a solo home run from Sean Myrom to lead off the second inning. The relief corps of Mason Stidham (Star, Idaho), Kyle Doyle (Covington, Wash.), Evan Ewing (Spokane, Wash.), and Eric Yardley (Richland, Wash.) combined for three innings of one-hit relief, with Yardley pitching a perfect ninth inning for his third save of the year.
In the bottom of the third inning, Trent Oleszczuk (Beaverton, Ore.) drew a leadoff walk and came around to score on a triple to right field by Ryan Somers (Sammamish, Wash.). With one out, Brian Olson (Black Diamond, Wash.) sent a grounder to Concordia first baseman Myrom, who threw home attempting to cut down Somers at the plate, but Cavalier catcher Ben Talbot could not hold onto the ball attempting the tag, allowing the go-ahead run to score.
Concordia starter Mitch Ludtke pitched the first six innings, allowing four hits, three walks, and two runs while striking out six Redhawk batters. Seattle U advanced one runner to second base in the fourth inning and another to third base in the fifth inning, but both runners were stranded, keeping the score at 2-1.
In the seventh inning, Nick Latta (Tacoma, Wash.) led off with a single to left field, and Oleszczuk followed with a double, putting runners on second and third. Concordia reliever Larsen Kohler struck out the next batter, but then committed a balk that allowed Latta to score and Oleszczuk to move up to third base. Riley Tompkins (Lynnwood, Wash.) would drive in Oleszczuk with a sacrifice fly to center field, increasing Seattle U's lead to three runs.
Concordia (20-24) earned nine hits during the game, two apiece from Mike Cero, Myrom, Jordan Keeker, and Mike Dickman. Seattle U was held to six hits in the game, with no Redhawk picking up more than one hit during the contest.
Seattle University (18-16) will look to complete the two-game sweep Saturday, April 21, as the weekend series with Concordia concludes at Bannerwood Stadium starting at 1 p.m. Dan Giuliani will broadcast the game live on GoSeattleU.com, beginning with the pregame show approximately 20-25 minutes before the first pitch.