From Washington University Athletics
Sophomore John Brinkman continued a hot hitting weekend by going 4-for-4 with a University Athletic Association (UAA) single game record tying seven runs batted in during Washington University in St. Louis baseball's 16-6 win over Brandeis Friday evening at Kelly Field.
WashU improved to 19-14 on the season, also increasing its UAA mark to 8-6. Brandeis is 3-23 on the year with a 1-13 record in the UAA. One day after finishing a triple shy of hitting for the cycle, Brinkman finished a home run short of the feat but freshman Mitchell Black connected on his first round tripper in the first inning for a three-run shot.
The Bears claimed an early 4-0 lead in the first inning. Freshman Johnny LaMantia drove in Brinkman to extend his season-high hitting streak to eight consecutive games. One batter later, Black drove a 3-1 pitch soaring over the left field fence and onto Forsyth Boulevard to give WashU a 4-0 edge.
Freshman starting pitcher Ryan Loutos responded by striking out the side in the top of the second as the Bears added four more runs. Brinkman knocked in two runs in the bottom half of the frame with a triple to right center and later scored on a passed ball.
Junior Evan Nagel drew a bases-loaded walk in the third before Brinkman cleared the bases with a double to left center. The Bears advantage grew to 11-0. The Judges scored their first run on the game in the fourth, cashing in Mike Khoury's walk with a double by Isaac Fossas.
WashU once again scored four runs in the bottom half of the frame. Sophomore Brian Schutter knocked in a run before Brinkman plated two with a single up the middle. With the bases loaded Nagel scored on a wild pitch.
Brandeis scored in the top of the sixth but the Bears neutralized the run. Freshman Jack DeSalvo plated senior Auggie Mense on a hard hit ground ball to third base which put the Bears ahead 16-2.
The Judges tacked on four runs in the top of the seventh but a strikeout with two-runners on by freshman Troy Bauer ended the threat as the Bears claimed a run-rule 16-6 win over Brandeis.
Loutos pitched six innings, allowing four hits, two runs, one walk while striking out 11 batters and improved to 5-3 on the year. The Bears totaled 13 strikeouts and have reached double figures in punch outs during six of Loutos' starts.
The Bears and Judges will continue play with a doubleheader Saturday, April 28 at 9 a.m. with the senior and alumni day festivities to proceed between games. Be sure to stay up to date on all your Bears scores and awards by following @WashUBears on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
BEAR NOTEBOOK
• Brinkman shares the UAA record for most runs batted in with three players including two former Bears: Nick Vom Brack (vs. CWRU, 3/13/10) and Brandon Rogalski (vs. Emory, 3/9/10).
• WashU has the ninth most difficult schedule according to D3baseball.com (.581)
• Loutos has a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 6.25