SPORTS STORIES:
SPARTAN BASEBALL—2008/09
CASE 9, CHICAGO 8...
CLEVELAND, OH (April 26, 2009) - The lead changed hands seven times in a very close, well-fought game, which the Case Western Reserve University baseball team lost to the University of Chicago in Chicago by a score of 9-8 in 12 innings.
The Maroons got on the board in the second inning, scoring one run. The Spartans responded with one in the second, as sophomore shortstop Matt Viau (Brampton, MI) drew a one-out walk and would score on a wild pitch. Chicago scored one in the fourth to take a 2-1 lead. Case scored three unearned runs in the top of the sixth, helped by an error and another wild pitch and highlighted by a two-run double by sophomore catcher Steve Bills (Greensburg, PA-pictured). The Maroons would get three runs of their own in the seventh to retake the lead at 5-4. The Spartans would score three runs in the top of the ninth, on an RBI double by freshman second baseman Jamal Abed (Westlake, OH), another wild pitch, and another error. Case could not hold the lead, though, as Chicago scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to tie it at 6. The teams traded runs in the tenth inning, although the Spartans wasted a bases-loaded, no out opportunity. In the bottom of the twelfth, a walk and a hit by pitch gave Chicago another scoring opportunity, and they got one run to win the game.
Bills finished the game 2-for-6 with two doubles, two RBIs and one run scored. Sophomore first baseman Chad Mullins (Fredericksburg, OH) also had two hits for Case. Abed went 1-for-4 with a double, two walks, an RBI, and a run scored.
Senior starting pitcher Kevin Haley (Kent, OH) went 6 1/3 innings, giving up five runs (four earned) on eight hits and one walk, striking out one. Freshman Taylor Lorenz (Strongsville, OH) took the loss in relief (0-1), giving up one earned run on two hits and one walk in 1 2/3 innings, striking out one.
The Spartans (12-33) will end their 2009 season on Tuesday at 3:00 pm against Muskingum College at Nobby’s Ballpark.
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