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Baseball sweeps U of Dubuque

Lars Finanger
March 6, 2002

The St. Olaf Baseball team opened their 2002 season on Wednesday, February 27, with a double-header sweep over the University of Dubuque at the Metrodome.

The Oles broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the seventh inning when Brian Sprout (Sr, Lake City, Minn) scored from second on Dan LaManna's (Sr, South St. Paul, Minn) game-winning double.

The Oles rallied in the bottom of the seventh after getting out of a bases-loaded jam. Sprout drew a one out walk and stole second, setting the table for LaManna's heroics. With two outs, LaManna laced the second pitch over the drawn in right-fielder's head.

Dubuque jumped out to a one run lead in the fourth stanza and remained ahead until the bottom of the sixth. The Oles answered as LaManna singled to start off the inning. Kevin Quame (Sr, Benson, Minn) and Lars Finanger (Sr, Decorah, Iowa) were both hit by pitches, loading the bases. Steve Ryan (Sr, South St. Paul, Minn) drove in LaManna with a sacrifice fly, tying the game at one apiece. Joe Hammond (Sr, Neillsville, Wis) attempted to score Quame from third on a squeeze bunt, but Quame was thrown out at home for the second out. Michael Ludwig (Jr, Blaine, Minn) flew out to end the inning.

LaManna led the offensive attack with two hits, including his game-winning double.

Aaron Koppen (Sr, Pine City, Minn) started on the hill and gave up one run while striking out four in four innings of work. Joe Blankush (So, Duluth, Minn) pitched a scoreless fifth surrendering one hit and striking out one. Charlie Ruud picked up the win after keeping the Dubuque bats at bay in the sixth and seventh innings. Ruud gave up three hits and struck out one.

GAME TWO

The Oles completed the sweep after jumping out to an early lead. With two outs in the first stanza, LaManna stroked a double and later scored on a wild pitch. The black and gold extended their lead in the second inning when Ryan led off with a single. After advancing to third on an infield grounder, Ryan attempted to steal home. Joe Pavelko (So, Richfield, Minn) misread the play but layed a bunt single down the first baseline scoring Ryan. The game remained 2-0 until the top of the seventh when Sprout singled with one out. Sprout scored on Brad Baglien's (So, Arden Hills, Minn) second triple of the game. Baglien increased the lead to 4-0 when he scored on a LaManna sacrifice fly.

Baglien lead the Oles on offense going two for four with two triples and one RBI. Pavelko also had two hits and one RBI for the Oles.

Erik Goodmanson (Sr, Albert Lea, Minn) chalked up the win allowing only one hit while striking out four in three innings of work. Jon Haugen (So, Mahtomedi, Minn) and Jeff Jasperson (So, Duluth, Minn) held Dubuque scoreless pitching two innings apiece in relief.

Contact Judy Stromayer at 507-786-3315 or stromaye@stolaf.edu.