A roller-coaster season continued for the ‘Pack baseball team Wednesday, as another game was postponed due to rain.
Rainouts and a difficult schedule have caused bumps in the road and have made it difficult for the team to find its stride as the season rolls on.
“We’ve lost so many games by one run, or in the last inning,” said assistant coach Brett Simpson. “We just need to make it all work together,” he said.
The Wolfpack’s month on the road continued with a series at LSU-Shreveport Feb. 28 and March 1.
Starting pitcher Brad Showalter, communications senior, was knocked around in an 11-1 loss on Friday.
The two teams split a doubleheader on Saturday, with Scott Schenck, management senior, getting the decision in both contests.
The ‘Pack headed to Mississippi on March 4 to battle Jackson State.
Despite 14 hits, Loyola fell 7-3. Visual graphics junior Matt Franatovich received the loss.
As has been the case for Loyola all season, there was no rest for the weary. The team drove to Memphis that night, and took on Christian Brothers University in a doubleheader the next afternoon.
The pain of another one-run loss (9-8) was softened by a homerun by catcher Brian Sullivan. Showalter was credited with the loss, as his record fell to 1-4.
CBU was able to pull away in the second game with a 6-2 win over the ‘Pack.
On March 7, Loyola finally returned home, for the first time in more than three weeks.
The ‘Pack made the return a triumphant one as they snuck past conference foe Spring Hill 10-9 Friday night. Schenck got the win as his relief carried the team through the final inning.
Right fielder Greg Veltri caught a fly ball, then nailed a runner at home plate to notch two of the final outs.
Schenck got his first save of the season, pitching the final two-plus innings and giving up no runs on one hit, while striking out two. Jeb Baur, management junior, also provided some relief, pitching one inning and getting the win, giving up no runs.
Jeff Quates, communications junior, led Loyola with three RBIs and a run scored.
But the team’s luck ran out quickly, as the Badgers swept a doubleheader from Loyola the next day.
Ryan Moity, communications senior, and Schenck each had two hits for Loyola in the first game.
In the game two, Schenck got the loss. He threw four innings, giving up three runs on four hits.
Quates again led the ‘Pack at the plate, going two-for-three with a double.
Starting with a doubleheader today, the Wolfpack is hoping to jumpstart the season by moving Uptown to play some games at Turchin Stadium at Tulane.
According to Simpson, about ten games this season will be played Uptown.
“We want to play at home and we want to play better. We have new, young players and we just need to keep playing together,” he said.
