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Bears Split Leads to Series Victory Over Coe

Bears Split Leads to Series Victory Over Coe

From Washington University Athletics

The Washington University in St. Louis baseball relied on strong pitching as it completed a 2-1 series victory of Coe College by splitting a doubleheader on Sunday at Kelly Field. The Bears defeated the Kohawks 9-4 in game one before suffering their first defeat at home in a 1-0 pitcher's duel to Coe during the afternoon.

WashU concluded the weekend with a 9-6 record following the split while Coe ended the week with a 5-6 record. The Bears offense seized their opportunities in game one while scoring nine runs on seven hits and eight walks, but finished game two with a combined four hits while being shutout for the first time this season.

Game 1: WashU 9 – Coe 4

WashU was able to seize the moment in the third inning scoring on a sacrifice fly by sophomore John Brinkman and a single by sophomore John Ostrander. The Bears were not finished with two runs, as a fielding error opened the door to six additional runs including a run-scoring walk by freshman Collin Kahal and a bases clearing double by junior Evan Nagel.

The Bears lead proved to be too much as freshman Ryan Loutos pitched a season-long eight innings while striking out 11 batters. He has reached double figures in strikeouts in three consecutive outings. Loutos did not allow a single earned run as Coe was able to score four runs in the eighth following an error on the potential third out of the frame.

Brinkman closed out the game with a three-up three-down ninth as the Bears picked up their third consecutive victory. Ostrander and Nagel each finished the game with multiple hits while senior Auggie Mense picked up a pair of walks. Nagel and sophomore Thomas Gardner combined for four of WashU's runs.

Game 2: Coe 1 – WashU 0

In a tightly contested pitcher's duel the Kohawks were able to sneak away with a victory as Coe was able to score the lone run of the game during the third inning. The Kohawks had back-to-back singles to lead the frame off before a double steal resulted in the game-winning run by Matthew Schrader.

Junior John Howard completed eight innings, allowing seven hits, with one walk and earned run while striking out a career-high nine batters. Sophomore Jack Besser relieved Howard in the top of the ninth and threw a perfect inning by striking out the side.

The Bears had runners reach second base four times in the game including the bottom of the ninth on a two-out, two-strike double by Gardner. However, the Bears were unable to advance the runners past second during the 1-0 loss.

Gardner, sophomore AJ Dunham and freshman Johnny LaMantia had 1-for-3 performances at the plate while Mense picked up the Bears fourth hit.