March 28, 2008

GREELEY, Colo. - In the home opener for the University of Northern Colorado baseball team, the Bears lost a 24-7 decision to South Dakota State, giving up the most runs in a game in school history. NC falls to 7-18 overall, while the Jackrabbits improve to 6-15.

South Dakota State exploded for six runs in the first inning and never looked back, scoring six runs in three innings doing so again in the seventh and ninth frames. The Jackrabbits totaled 29 hits and committed two errors. Northern Colorado scored seven runs on 15 hits and had four errors in the game.

Senior right-handed pitcher Chris Reap threw just two innings in his sixth start, allowing seven runs (four earned) on eight hits with one walk and five strikeouts. Sophomore Joe Sawicki threw four innings in relief, allowing nine runs (six earned) on 11 hits walking one and striking out four. Senior Eric Skufca threw two frames giving up two runs on three hits walking one and in his first appearance on the mound this year, junior Mike Zarlengo pitched the final inning giving up six runs (five earned) on seven hits.

The Bears looked like they were going to get back in the game, scoring two runs in the third and four in the fourth to close within three, 6-4, but the Jackrabbits scored two in the fifth and one in the sixth to extend the lead back to six, 9-4.

Caleb Thielbar pitched the first 3.1 innings for the Jackrabbits, giving up six runs on 10 hits, while walking two and striking out four. Zach Weber, who picked up the win, threw 1.1 innings, allowing no runs on two hits and Mike Robinson gets his first save of the year, throwing 4.1 innings allowing 1 run on three hits and walked three.

Senior shortstop Cory Morales was a bright spot for the Bears offensively, going 4-for-5 from the plate with one RBI and two runs scored. Senior catcher Erik Whinery, junior Erik Hegstad, junior Andrew Tooley and junior Mike Raudenbush each also had two hit days.

The Bears got a scare in the top of the first inning when Anthony Garcia and Hegstad collided in the outfield while running for a long fly by Tony Martin. Garcia finished the inning, but Raudenbush entered the game for him defensively in the fourth inning. Hegstad finished out the game and Martin recorded an in-the-park homerun.

The two teams meet tomorrow in a double header beginning at 11:00 a.m. The two games were originally scheduled for Saturday and Sunday but the threat of inclement weather pushed up the series finale. T.R. Keating and Jon Klausing are scheduled to throw for the Bears in the two games, respectively.