A five-hit complete game victory by freshman pitcher Brian Van Duyn Sunday afternoon completed a four-game sweep by the Little Giant baseball team against Robert Morris College - Springfield. Wabash scored a 2-1 win in extra innings in game one Sunday.
Van Duyn (right) picked up his second win of the season and his first complete game of the season. He held the Eagles scoreless through six innings before surrendering two hits, a walk, and a run in the seventh. Van Duyn allowed only five hits in the game while walking three. He had three strikeouts.
Wabash scored three runs in the second inning when Nathan Schrader singled to left center with two outs. After Schrader stole second, PJ Tyson drew a walk to set the table for Bobby Ritz. The sophomore third baseman delivered an RBI single, scoring Schrader while moving Tyson to second. One batter later both came home on a two-run double from Jake Thomas.
The Little Giants added another run in the third when Alan Griggs walked with two outs to keep the inning alive. Fellow freshman Joel Bustamante doubled down the left field line to score Griggs, giving Wabash a 4-0 lead.
Senior Shaun Rico added the final run in the fourth. Rico, who was hit by a pitch on the left side of his head and spent much of the game at a nearby hospital to have stitches applied to the resulting injury, returned to the lineup in game two to drive home Matt Dodaro after the junior shortstop reached on a fielder's choice.
Schrader (left) scored the game-winning run in the ninth inning of the first contest after singling to begin the bottom half of the frame. He stole second, then scored when Tyson's sacrifice bunt was thrown way by the RMC pitcher. Wabash tied the game in the fifth inning after the Eagles took a 1-0 lead in the fourth. Tyson was hit by a pitch, followed by a walk to Ritz. Thomas delivered the RBI single to score Tyson, whose head-first slide avoided the tag at the plate.
Joey Niezer threw six innings allowing only two hits, two walks, and no earned runs with four strikeouts. Keegan Leckrone picked up his second win of the season throwing three innings of scoreless relief with no hits, one walk, and four strikeouts.
Thomas finished with five hits and three RBIs for the day. Ritz, Schrader, and Tanner Coggins each added two hits.
Wabash (7-6) plays at home Wednesday afternoon against DePauw University. First pitch of the schedule nine-inning contest is set for 4 p.m.