From University of Chicago Athletics

The University of Chicago baseball team broke open a close game late and emerged with an 8-2 victory at Hope College on Tuesday.

The Maroons improved to 5-10 while the Flying Dutchmen dropped to 10-10.

Junior third baseman Kyle Engel started a two-out rally in the top of the first inning by cracking a double down the left field line. After moving to third base on a wild pitch, Engel scored on junior left fielder Kevin Tully's RBI single. Tully then came around to score on an outfield error which came immediately after a single by freshman designated hitter Michael Davis.

UChicago increased its lead to 3-0 in the fourth inning when senior outfielder Edward Akers delivered a RBI single. Hope finally broke through with two outs in the bottom of the fifth against senior starting pitcher Andrew VanWazer. An error and a single up the middle made the score 3-2.

The Maroons gave themselves some breathing room by scoring one in the seventh. Once again, Tully delivered a RBI single, this time through the left side. The visitors then delivered the knockout blow in the ninth inning. Three-straight singles loaded the bases with one out, and Davis plated two runners with a single to left field. Senior second basemanWilliam Katzka followed with a RBI single to left as well, and a wild pitch brought in another run to put UChicago ahead 8-2.

With plenty of cushion to work with, senior pitcher Anthony DeRenzoclosed out the game with a double-play groundout. DeRenzo ended up tossing four hitless innings in relief, walking two and striking out two to get the save. VanWazer (1-2) picked up his first victory of the year with five innings of work. The senior struck out seven batters, walked five and allowed four hits and two unearned runs.

Offensively, UChicago racked up a season-high 15 hits. Tully (two RBI) and Engel collected three hits each. Sophomore shortstop Ryan Krob, sophomore first baseman Thomas Prescott and Davis (two RBI) all tallied two hits apiece.