V-Hawks Drop Full Series to Tigers

LA CROSSE, Wis. -- The V-Hawks took to the field on Friday and Saturday for a conference series against the Olivet Nazarene Tigers. Through four games of competition, the V-Hawks dropped all four, playing a couple of close games. With the losses, the V-Hawks fall to 8-31 on the season and 6-22 in the conference. The Tigers improve to 27-19 overall and 23-9 in the CCAC. 

GAME ONE (VU 1, ONU 3)

The V-Hawks began their series with a closely-contested loss to the Tigers. The V-Hawks held off the Tigers through the first four innings of the game, however, the V-Hawks also did not score in the first four innings. In the fifth inning, the Tigers scored their first run. The V-Hawks quickly responded, scoring their first run of the game in the sixth inning on a Xavier Gilmore homer. The V-Hawks held off the Tigers through the seventh and eighth innings, but in the ninth, the Tigers scored two more runs. Though the V-Hawks continued to fight, they couldn't score again, dropping the first game 3-1. 

At the plate, the V-Hawks were led by Xavier Gilmore. Gilmore had one hit and the only run of the competition for the V-Hawks. Other hits on the game came from Ryder Mortensen and Jake Ulbert. In the circle, the V-Hawks were led by an incredibly strong performance from Brandon Shepherd. Shepherd pitched 7.1 innings for the V-Hawks, allowing only one run and four hits through 111 pitches thrown. He threw 63 strikes for four strikeouts and faced 34 batters. Shepherd was relieved by Spencer Hautamaki. Spencer allowed two runs and one hit. Aiden Murphy closed the game, allowing just one hit and no runs in the final inning. 

GAME TWO (VU 4, ONU 5)

The V-Hawks played another tight game in the second of the day and the series. The Tigers struck first, putting up two runs early in the top of the first inning. The V-Hawks responded with one of their own on a Hunter Hess single that ran in Jake Ulbert. Neither team scored in the next several innings. In the final inning of the game, the Tigers put up three runs to go up 5-1. With their backs against the wall, the V-Hawks attempted to fight back. In the bottom of the inning, Hunter Hess cranked a homer to cut the deficit to 5-2. Gabe Kahl singled to run in Xavier Gilmore to score once again and Esteban Sanchez doubled to run in Ryder Mortensen. Unfortunately, the V-Hawks couldn't quite complete the comeback, falling to the Tigers 5-4 through the seven inning game. 

At the plate, the V-Hawks were led by Hunter Hess. Hess had two hits and two RBIs in three appearances. Both Xavier Gilmore and Jaden Vanderwiere each had two hits as well. Other hits on the game came from Nathan Faust, Ryder Mortensen, Gabe Kahl, and Esteban Sanchez. Nick Colker pitched nearly the entire game for the V-Hawks. He threw 6.2 innings, allowing five runs and nine hits. He threw 100 pitches and 58 strikes, facing 32 batters. Ryan Gordon came in the close the game, pitching only four pitches. All four were strikes. 

GAME THREE (VU 1, ONU 22)

The V-Hawks struggled in the first game of day two. The team allowed eight runs from the Tigers in the first inning. In the bottom of the first inning, the V-Hawks made an attempt at a comeback when Nathan Faust doubled to run in Xavier Gilmore for a score. Unfortunately, the V-Hawks wouldn't score again. In the second inning, the Tigers earned one more run. They added seven runs in the fourth, three in the fifth, and three in the seventh. The V-Hawks eventually fell in the third game of the series 22-1. 

At the plate, the V-Hawks were led again by Hunter Hess. Hess had two hits in his three at-bat appearances. Other hits in the game came from Xavier Gilmore, Nathan Faust, and Carson Reinhardt. Luke Widerholt started pitching for the V-Hawks, allowing five hits and eight runs. Roberto Echevarria relieved Luke, throwing nearly three innings and allowing only one run and one hit. Other pitchers on the game were Brandt Bashynski, Evan Laudenberg, and Victor Christianson. 

GAME FOUR (VU 1, ONU 5)

In the final game of the series, the V-Hawks were able to hold the Tigers to a much lower run count. The Tigers scored first, picking up two runs in the first inning. The V-Hawks responded in the third inning when Xavier Gilmore singled to run in Armani Camus. Olivet responded with two more runs in the fourth and one more in the fifth. Despite their efforts, the V-Hawks did not score again in the sixth or seventh innings, and the team fell to the Tigers 5-1 for their final game of the conference series. 

At the plate, the V-Hawks were led by Xavier Gilmore. Gilmore had two hits and one RBI in his three plate appearances. Other hits on the game came from Jaden Vanderwiere, Gabe Kahl, and Caden Besemer. Adam Olson pitched the first four innings of the game for the V-Hawks, allowing four runs and eight hits. He threw 77 pitches for 42 strikes facing 23 batters. Anthony Sanchez relieved Olson, pitching for three innings. He had three strikeouts in his three innings, allowing only one run and two hits. Of his 39 pitches, 28 were in zone. 

UP NEXT

The V-Hawks will face Maranatha Baptist on Tuesday, April 21st for their final home competition of the season. The double-header is set to begin at 1PM on Tuesday at the Viterbo Outdoor Athletics Complex.