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Ole Baseball Sweeps Gustavus

Lars Finanger/Matt Karnas
April 19, 2001

Strong pitching and well executed defensive play allowed the Oles to collect two wins against Gustavus, extending their conference win total to eight games.

While the Ole bats were held silent for most of the first game, the defense was able to hold off a seventh inning Gustavus rally and preserve the 1-0 victory. The Oles scored the lone run of the game in the first inning when Casey Coulson (Sr., Rosemont, Minn.) and Brian Sprout (Jr., Lake City, Minn.) reached base on errors and Dan LaManna (Jr., South St.Paul, Minn.) drew a walk. With the bases loaded and one out, Kevin Quame (Jr., Benson, Minn.) hit a fielders' choice that allowed Coulson to score.

The key to the Ole victory was a fabulous pitching performance from Aaron Koppen (Jr., Pine City, Minn.). Koppen held the Gusties scoreless over seven innings and allowed only three hits.

The Oles completed the sweep with a 7-0 victory, highlighted by Joe Pavelko's (FY., Richfield, Minn.) home run over the center field fence in the top of the fourth inning. Pavelko's homer broke four innings of scoreless baseball and propelled the Oles to rally for six more runs.

Once again, the Oles were led by strong pitching as Jim Eckstein (FY., Sleepy Eye, Minn.) held the Gusties to two hits and struck out five. Eckstein was unable to finish the game because of arm problems, but Reid Rose (Jr., Orono, Minn.) pitched the seventh and preserved the shutout.

With the sweep the Oles moved to 15-5 overall and remain in sole possession of first place in the conference with their 8-0 record. They will travel to Winona on Saturday for a 1:00 doubleheader against the St. Mary?s Cardinals. The Oles will then play host to Macalaster on Sunday at 1:00.

Contact Pat Buresh at 507-786-3315 or buresh@stolaf.edu.