From University of Chicago Athletics
The University of Chicago baseball team used a walk-off fielder's choice in extra innings of game two to complete a doubleheader sweep of St. Norbert College on Tuesday.
The Maroons improved to 8-12 and the Green Knights dropped to 13-12.
Game One – UChicago 4, St. Norbert 1
The Maroons turned to pitcher Nick Watson in game one and the junior effectively bottled up St. Norbert's offense. The Green Knights threatened early with runners on first and third in the opening inning, but Watson induced an inning-ending double play.
Watson stayed effective all game and only allowed four hits in a complete-game effort. The one run allowed came in the top of the sixth on a RBI double. Watson finished with two walks and three strikeouts in seven innings, improving his season record to 3-1.
UChicago provided immediate support in the bottom of the first inning when sophomore outfielder Nicholas Toomey led off with a double. He then scored when senior third baseman Kyle Engelsmacked a RBI single up the middle.
Two more runs came around in the third inning. Engel lashed a RBI double and then scored on junior catcher Kevin Tully's single. The Maroons wrapped up the scoring in the fifth inning when sophomore first baseman Thomas Prescott tallied a RBI single through the infield.
UChicago finished with eight hits in the game. Engel went 2-for-3 with two RBI, while Toomey was 2-for-4 with two doubles.
Game Two – UChicago 6, St. Norbert 5
Errors in the first inning of game two allowed St. Norbert to jump out to a 4-0 lead right away. Back-to-back errors brought in two runs and a pair of RBI singles added two more unearned runs to the tally. Despite the rough start, senior pitcher Andrew VanWazer settled into a groove and did not allow any other scoring opportunities for the next five innings.
The Maroons got on the comeback trail in its own half of the first inning. Engel cracked his second home run of the season to center field, clearing the fence at about 385 feet. The senior was at it again in the third inning with a RBI single. Just like the previous game, Tully followed immediately after with a RBI single of his own to cut the lead to 4-3.
The fifth inning saw more fireworks from Engel – this time, a run-scoring double to left center to tie the game. Freshman second baseman Dean Christakes lined a RBI double of his own to give the home side a 5-4 lead.
The Green Knights stayed within striking distance by squashing a bases-loaded situation in the bottom of the sixth with a double-play groundout. The visitors then loaded the bases themselves in the top of the seventh and tied the game at 5-5 on a fielder's choice that did not result in an out.
Extra innings commenced and UChicago put itself in another good position in the bottom of the eighth. Once again, the bases were filled with runners with one out. Sophomore shortstop Ryan Krob hit a chopper up the middle and beat out the attempted double-play throw to drive in the winning run.
The Maroons recorded nine hits, but also committed three errors that led to four unearned runs. Engel led the way with a 3-for-4 performance that included one homer and three RBI.
VanWazer threw seven innings, with five runs (one earned), 10 hits, one walk and four strikeouts. Senior pitcher Simon Swanson(2-0) got the win in his one inning of relief. Swanson allowed one hit and struck out two.