Lady luck briefly joined the Wolfpack’s bats last Saturday, giving the team its only two runs on a double play and an error, as Loyola cruised to a 2-1 win over the University of Mobile in the first game of a double header. And while Lady Luck may have left after the first inning, Stephen Ratasky made sure his team still came out with a win.
Loyola started out the bottom of the first inning with two singles and a walk, giving cleanup hitter Joshua Borges loaded bases to work with. The business junior, whose 16 RBIs is good enough for second on the team, usually thrives with runners on base, but he only managed to knock in a run on the chance after hitting into a double play. Mathematics sophomore Kevin Fontenot had some help from the Rams by reaching on an error that scored mass communication senior Andy Rodriguez.
But those two runs were all general studies sophomore Ratasky needed. He highlighted the first game with his dominant pitching performance, improving to 4-1 on the season while only giving up an earned run through seven innings. In the process, he struck out two batters while only allowing only one base runner an inning.
“It’s definitely encouraging to know that whenever he gets on the mound we’ll be in the game,” said accounting senior Brian Mason, who went 2-for-6 that day. “It’s up to the hitting at that point, you have to step up and get the win. He’s probably been the most consistent.”
Loyola fell flat in the second game by allowing 19 hits in a 13-3 loss. Paul Neill fell to 2-2 on the season, lasting four innings and giving up two earned runs on five hits. He walked three batters while striking out only one.
The team begins a long road stretch this weekend when they face William Carey in Hattiesburg, Miss. The next time they return to Segnette Field will be April 13, 10 games from now. But don’t count the ‘Pack out, even if they’re 2-9 on the road.
“We’re definitely used to being on the road. Most of our big games are away,” Mason said. “We took the Texas trip last year, so we know what it likes to be on a bus, and to be expected to perform when we get off the bus. Being on the road definitely has an influence, but not as much as people think.”
Chad Bower can be reached at [email protected].
