Sacred Heart Drops Season Opener at Northwestern State, 4-1

Friday, February 27

Natchitoches, LA

5:30 pm

Sacred Heart

0-1

Northwestern St.

3-6

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Sacred Heart	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	4	3
Northwestern State	0	0	0	2	0	0	2	0	X	4	3	1

Sacred Heart Drops Season Opener at Northwestern State, 4-1

2/27/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

NATCHITOCHES, LA – Despite six innings of two hit ball from Jeff Stoddard, the Sacred Heart University baseball team fell in its season opener to Northwestern State, 4-1, on Friday evening. Demon starter Adam Oiler limited the Pioneers to just one run and three hits over eight innings, while striking out nine. Using two runs each in the fourth and seventh, NWST improved to 3-6. Jake Friar led the Pioneer batters, who outhit the Demons 4-3, with a hit, run, and walk, while Kenny Byram drove in SHU's lone run on the evening.

With both starters holding the opponent hitless through three innings, Sacred Heart had the first major scoring opportunity of the game in the third. With one out, Dan Schock and Friar reached consecutively on an error and fielder's choice. Oiler would clamp down though, retiring the next two with a strikeout, before forcing a inning ending ground out.

After the leadoff batter in the bottom of the fourth flew out, the Demons began their ultimate game-winning rally with a walk. Following that walk, Stoddard forced the next batter to fly out, but Northwester State kept the inning alive with the first hit of the game, a single through the right side by Chase Daughdrill. With runners on first and second, CJ Webster stroked a double to right field to score both runners and put the first runs on the board.

The Pioneers put together another threat in the sixth, with the first two batters of the inning reaching base. Friar and Jesus Medina picked up SHU's first two hits, both singles. The next two batters would strike out though, and Oiler officially got out of the threat when he forced an inning ending fielder's choice.

The Demons added insurance in the seventh after the first three runners of the inning all reached based. Following a walk and error, Garrett Logan reached first on a fielder's choice when he laid down a sacrifice bunt. With the bases loaded, Joel Atikinson plated two with a RBI single to center field. Dan Wertz would limit the damage from there, striking out the next hitter before overcoming an error by imposing two consecutive fielder's choices.

Sacred Heart scored its lone run of the game in the eighth, as it was Friar again who got on base, this time on a walk. After advancing to third on a wild pitch and fielder's choice, Byram's RBI came when he singled through the right side. Oliver made sure that was all SHU would get, as he would strike out the next batter.

Alex Perry pitched a scoreless eighth in his first career collegiate appearance allowing the Pioneers to attempt one final rally in the ninth. The threat began when Jayson Sullivan began the frame with a single and Keith Klebart followed with a walk. Brandon Smith halted the danger from there though, ending the game by striking out the side.

The two teams will meet again tomorrow for a doubleheader, with first pitch scheduled for 3 pm Central Daylight Time. The second game will follow at 7 pm CDT.