The Raven Baseball team closed out the weekend in exciting fasion on Sunday as they earned a split against Heart opponent Clarke University on Laughlin Field at Olsen Stadium.
After dropping the first game 11-5, the Ravens earned a walk-off win in game two, 7-5.
After giving up a run in the top fo the seventh of the weekend finale, the Ravens were forced to bat in the bottom of the seventh. Jacob Pavlyak singled to start the inning for the Ravens and was advanced to third base on a sacrafice bunt from Danny Favazza and a groundout from Jackson Doherty. Down to their final out before the game went into extra innings, Jacob Slaten connected on a two-run home run that went over the left field fence to give the Ravens a 7-5 win to wrap up the weekend.
In game one against Clarke, the Ravens sent Ben Hankammer to the hill in an effort to keep the Pride off balance at the plate. He limited the Pride to just three runs over the first two innings, but then ran into trouble in the third inning and was pulled after two and one-third innings. His final line included seven earned runs off nine hits. Tripp Wright, Blake Patterson and Hunter Ostertag finished off the game for the Ravens, holding the Pride to just four more runs over the rest of the game. Ostertag threw the final inning and two-thirds, holding the Pride hitless.
At the plate, the Ravens were limited by Clarke starting pitcher Connor Crabill. While the Ravens did tally 12 hits, they only managed to score five runs while stranding nine. Brandon Barringer and Austin Watamaniuk each hit a home run. Michael Slaten recorded two doubles while Drew Piontek added a triple.
In game two, Matthew Gephardt earned the start on the hill. He threw all seven innings for the Ravens to earn his second straight complete-game win and third overall complete game. He gave up four runs off seven hits with two strikeouts in the win.
The Ravens scratched across three runs in the second and added two more in the third to score their five runs. Michael Slaten recorded his third double of the day to drive in three runs, Doherty added a double and RBI while Pavlyak and Favazza finished with two hits each.
Benedictine hosts Ottawa University at Noon on Tuesday on Laughlin Field at Olsen Stadium. The game was originally scheduled to be played a Ottawa, but their field is unavailable due to the installation of a new turf infield surface.
