Wabash cranked out 13 runs on 18 hits, including a grand slam by Shaun Rico, to hand Schreiner University a 13-5 loss Tuesday afternoon in Kerrville, Texas. Freshman Brian Van Duyn picked up his first career victory by holding the Mountaineers to four hits over five innings.
The Little Giants led 2-1 thanks to an RBI single by Matt Dodaro and an RBI double from Tanner Coggins in the first inning. Bobby Ritz started the third by getting hit with a pitch just before Jake Thomas singled to left. Both runners moved up on a wild pitch before Dodaro took an inside pitch off his body to load the bases. Coggins responded once again with an RBI single on a sharp shot back to the mound.
That brought Rico to plate with the bases load. He launched his second home run of the Texas trip and seventh of his career to put Wabash in front 7-1.
The Little Giants added another five spot in the top of the fourth inning to blow the game wide open. Freshman PJ Tyson began the inning with a double to left, moving to third on a single by Ritz. Thomas brought both runners home with his double to center. Coggins followed with the third double of the inning, scoring Thomas. Rico added his fifth RBI of the day with a single to center, eventually scoring on back-to-back singles by Joel Bustamante and Nathan Schrader.
Wabash added another run in the ninth with a two-out walk to Ritz, followed by a triple by Thomas.
Van Duyn worked five innings to earn the victory, scattering four hits with two walks and three strikeouts. Andy Weeks saw his first action of the year since going through off-season arm surgery, working two innings of relief. Nick Schrader threw a scoreless inning of relief before giving way to Patrick McCarley for the final inning of the game.
Thomas was 4-for-5 with three RBIs and three runs scored. Rico finished with two hits in five at bats with five RBIs and two runs scored. Coggins added three more hits to his team-leading totals, giving him 10 for the year. He also leads the Little Giants with a .500 batting average (10-for-20).
Wabash improves to 2-4 with the victory. The Little Giants continue their trek through Texas Wednesday afternoon with a single nine-inning game at Texas Lutheran at 2 p.m. (CST).