V-Hawks Fall to Cougars in Four-Game Series

CHICAGO, Ill. -- The V-Hawks traveled east to Chicago, Illinois this weekend to face off in a competition against the Cougars of Saint Xavier for a conference matchup. The V-Hawks came away from the competition with one win and three losses. With the games, the V-Hawks fall to 5-23 overall and 4-15 in conference competitions. 

GAME ONE (VU 2, SXU 11)

The V-Hawks dropped game one 11-2. In the competition, the Cougars struck first, scoring two runs quickly in the first inning. They followed up with another run in the second and three more in the fourth. The V-Hawks scored their runs in the sixth inning. Down 10-0, Matt Monaghan stepped up to the plate to put a single into play, running in Esteban Sanchez and Nathan Faust. Saint Xavier scored once more in the seventh inning, and the V-Hawks eventually fell 11-2 in the first of four games. 

From the plate, the V-Hawks were led by Matt Monaghan. Matt had three hits and two RBIs on three at-bat appearances. Nathan Faust added two hits for the V-Hawks. Other V-Hawks that collected hits include Xavier Gilmore, Caden Besemer, Carson Reinhardt, Esteban Sanchez, and Dane Mediger. In the circle, Brandon Shepherd started, pitching five innings and allowing eight runs and 12 hits. He threw 57 strikes out of 103 pitches thrown, facing 30 batters. Spencer Hautamaki relieved Shepherd, pitching the final four innings and allowing three runs on one hit. He thre 65 pitches with 29 resulting in strikes after facing 18 batters. 

GAME TWO (VU 2, SXU 1)

The second game of the series was a low-scoring face off between the two teams. The V-Hawks were able to strike first and early, putting up two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Esteban Sanchez put the ball in play, running in Caden Besemer and Nathan Faust on a dropped ball out of right field. The V-Hawks held off Saint Xavier from any scoring for much of the game, but the Cougars were able to score one run in the top of the fourth inning. The V-Hawks eventually took the win after holding off the Cougars for the remainder of the game. 

At the plate, Nathan Faust led the way for the V-Hawks, collecting three hits in his three at-bat appearances. The only other hit of the game came for Hunter Hess later in the game. From the mound, the V-Hawks were led by a strong performance from Nick Colker. Nick threw the entire game, only allowing one run and five hits. He faced 27 batters during his time in the circle, throwing 88 pitching that resulted in 58 strikes. 

GAME THREE (VU 2, SXU 10)

On the second day of competition, the V-Hawks were able to hold off the Cougars through the first three innings of the game. In the fourth inning, the Cougars scored two runs, followed by three in the fifth and two in the sixth. Down 7-0, the V-Hawks scored their first run of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning. Caden Besemer grounded out to run in Nathan Faust. The V-Hawks held off the Cougars in the top of the seventh inning, and they continued to fight back, scoring once again in the seventh inning. The V-Hawks were able to run in Dane Mediger on an error from the Cougars. Though the V-Hawks continued to fight, the Cougars held them off, scoring a few more runs in the final innings of the competition. 

At the plate, the V-Hawks were led by Caden Besemer with one hit and one RBI on four at-bat appearances. Other hits came from Nathan Faust, Ryder Mortensen, Esteban Sanchez, and Dane Mediger. Luke Widerholt started at the mound for the V-Hawks, pitching four innings and allowing two runs and one hits. Luke threw 125 pitches and 61 strikes, facing 20 batters. Aiden Murphy came in after Luke to pitch two innings, allowing five runs and seven hits. He faced 13 batters, throwing 24 strikes in 43 pitches. Ryan Gordon finished the game for the V-Hawks, throwing three innings and allowing three runs and three hits through 14 batters faced. 

GAME FOUR (VU 13, SXU 18)

The final game of the series was a high-scoring face off. The V-Hawks eventually fell in the competition despite scoring 13 runs. Saint Xavier struck first, scoring four runs in the first inning. The V-Hawks quickly responded, scoring four of their own in the first. Ryder Mortensen ran in Nathan Faust for the first run. The second game on a Dane Mediger RBI that brought in Ryder Mortensen. Matt Monghan was walked, advancing Ryan Mesa to home plate, and the final run came on a Derick Cossion run that brought in Caden Besemer. 

Saint Xavier responded with four runs in the second inning. The V-Hawks scored on an Esteban Sanchez single that ran in Xavier Gilmore in the second inning. They turned around and scored once again in the third inning on a Nathan Faust single that ran in Hunter Hess. Saint Xavier put together some more late scoring, and the V-Hawks continued responding. Esteban Sanchez picked up two RBIs, running in Xavier Gilmore and Hunter Hess to put the V-Hawks at a 13-8 deficit. Saint Xavier took the 16-8 lead in the sixth inning, but the V-Hawks weren't done fighting. 

In the sixth inning, Ryder Mortensen doubled to run in Nathan Faust and Derick Cossio. Caden Besemer singled to run in Ryder Mortensen, and Dane Mediger was able to run in Caden Besemer and Will Deets after a series of errors. The V-Hawks had a five run deficit going into the seventh inning. The V-Hawks eventually fell 18-13 despite their late game efforts. 

Caden Besemer led for the V-Hawks from the plate, picking up three hits as well as one RBI in three appearances. Xavier Gilmore, Ryder Mortense, Esteban Sanchez, and Dane Mediger each added two hits, with Mortensen and Sanchez having three RBIs each. Other hits on the day came from Nathan Faust, Derick Cossio, and Hunter Hess. 

Adam Olson started at the pitching position for the V-hawks, allowing eight runs and eight hits in his two innings. He faced 16 batters, throwing 49 pitches for 27 strikes. Roberto Echevarria relieved Olson, throwing just over an inning, allowing five runs and three hits. He faced 12 batters, throwing 43 pitches and 21 strikes. Anthony Sanchez closed the game, pitching over three innings, allowing five runs and four hits. He faced 23 batters and threw 103 pitches that resulted in 49 strikes.