STERLINGTON, La. – The Raven Baseball team wrapped up a successful trip down South today as they finished the first-ever Cajun Collision with a 2-2 record.
All four opponents for the Ravens held a rank in the NAIA Top 25 Preseason Coaches' Poll as they took on (11) Indiana University-Southeast and (6) LSU-Shreveport on Sunday followed by (2) University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma and (14) Lyon College today.
Sunday, the ranked teams got the better of the Ravens as IU-Southeast earned a 9-8 win followed by LSU-Shreveport with a 7-2 win. Today, the Ravens picked up two wins, beating USAO 11-7 and Lyon 9-5.
IU-Southeast 9, Benedictine 8 – In the weekend's opener, IU-Southeast earned a walk-off win in the seventh to hand the Ravens the loss.
Michael Slaten suffered the loss in relief throwing one-third of an inning. Michael Kruse got the start and threw the first five innings, giving up five runs off six hits with four strikeouts.
At the plate, the Ravens finished with 9 hits. Jacob Pavlyak went 3 for 4 with two home runs and four RBI. Jackson Doherty and Daryl Myers also recorded a home run and both finished with two hits each.
LSU-Shreveport 7, Benedictine 2 – In Sunday's nightcap, the Ravens were held scoreless until the top of the sixth when they plated home their two runs.
Issac Rudolph suffered the loss throwing the first four innings. He allowed four earned runs off eight hits with two strikeouts.
At the plate, the Ravens finished with six hits – none for extra bases. Jacob Slaten led the way going 2 for 3 with an RBI while Pavlyak added the remaining RBI.
Benedictine 11, USAO 7 – Trailing 5-3 after four innings, the Ravens came alive in the fifth inning against USAO scoring eight runs to take the lead for good.
Luke Caruthers earned the start on the hill and threw six and one-third innings. He finished with four strikeouts while giving up five earned runs off nine hits. Hunter Ostertag finished off the seventh holding the Drovers scoreless with one strikeout.
At the plate, the Ravens belted out 11 hits – three for extra bases. Jacob Slaten and Michael Slaten both hit a home run while Pavlyak added a double. Michael Slaten finished with three RBIs while Myers, Jacob Slaten, and Doherty finished with two RBIs each.
Benedictine 9, Lyon 5 – Lyon sent six pitchers to the hill in an effort to solve the Ravens bats at the plate. In the end, the difference in the game was three unearned runs that allowed the Ravens to pull away for the win.
Andrew Baier earned the start for the Ravens and earned the no-decision pitching the first three innings. He finished with six strikeouts while allowing the runs off three hits. Mason Carr earned the win as he was the pitcher of record when the Ravens took the lead. He threw two innings, giving up one hit. Michael Slaten earned the save throwing the final one and one-third innings.
At the plate, the Raven finished with eight hits. Danny Favazza and Jacob Slaten recorded a double each while Jordan Williams and Michael Slaten added home runs.
Benedictine returns home on Saturday and Sunday to host a four-game series against Mount Marty University. First pitch on both days from Laughlin Field at Olsen Stadium is at Noon.
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