Matt Dodaro launched a double off the top of the left field wall in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against Robert Morris College - Springfield to set the career doubles record. The Little Giants handed the Eagles an 8-4 loss in game one before blanking RMC-S 9-0 in the finale.
Wabash pounded out 15 hits in game two, including Dodaro's 41st career two-base hit to break the school record of 40 set by Chris Sides from 2003 to 2006. Freshman Luke Zinsmaster took advantage of the offensive explosion to pick up his first win of the season, throwing a complete-game two-hitter.
The Little Giants struck first in game two when Tanner Coggins reached base on a fielders choice in the first inning, eventually scoring on a single by Joe Johnson. Coggins drilled a two-out triple to right center in the fourth inning, scoring on a single by Brian Lares. Lares came home on a double by Johnson to put Wabash up 3-0. A Jake Thomas RBI single added a run in the fifth before the Little Giants exploded for five runs in the sixth inning.
Coggins laced a double to right center in the sixth inning, one of four in the frame for Wabash. He scored on a sacrifice fly by Johnson to put Wabash up 5-0. Freshman Grant McClosky ripped a double down the left field line, scoring one batter later on a single by PJ Tyson. A bunt single by Chris Deig set up a two-run double by Thomas.
Dodaro set the record in his next at-bat, putting a Chris Smith pitch off the top of the left field fence for his 41st career double while adding the final run of the game when Thomas crossed the plate.
Wabash scored three runs in the first inning of game one. Tyson opened the game with a double, scoring on a single by Lares, who reached third on an error in the outfield. The freshman came home on a groundout by Thomas to put Wabash up 2-0. The Little Giants added a third run in the inning when John Holm doubled ahead of a Derek Bailey single.
The Eagles answered with two runs in the second inning before Holm scored once again in the third inning on a single by David Seibel. RMC-S scored another run int he bottom of the third inning ahead of a one-run inning by the Eagles.
The Little Giants opened a 5-3 lead with two runs in the fifth inning. Lares singled and stole second, setting Thomas up for his first RBI double of the game. Thomas moved to third on a wild pitch, then scored on a sacrifice fly by Seibel. Lares scored from second in the sixth inning on a fly ball to left off the bat of Thomas. A slip in the outfield by the Eagles' defender allowed Lares to take two bases after tagging up to put Wabash in front 8-3.
Patrick McCarley left the game after pitching five innings to earn his first win of the season. The senior held RMC-S to three runs on six hits with three walks and a strikeout. Freshman Jeff Soller pitched the final two innings with one run on three hits and a strikeout.
Lares was 5-of-8 to lead the Wabash hitters. He added three RBIs. Thomas was 4-for-7 with six RBI, including two fo the Little Giants' eight team doubles in the contest.
Wabash (16-14) travels to Gary, Indiana Thursday night for a doubleheader against North Centeral College, with the games to played at the US Steelyard.