Upper Iowa baseball earned a Saturday sweep as they defeated Rockhurst 3-2 and 9-3 on day two of their series.
Jared Hoodjer tallied two hits, including a home run, in game one, while
Mike Gentile Jr. and
Gabe Bombardier tallied three hits in the second game.
Abraham Sanchez earned the win on the mound in game two after throwing for six innings, allowing one hit and run one while striking out eight batters.
The Peacocks conclude their weekend of action tomorrow in one final contest against the Hawks at 1 p.m. in Kansas City, Mo.
GAME ONE: UIU-3, RU-2
Hoodjer paced the team at the plate in game one after going 2-3 and tacking on two RBI's. The Peacocks registered six hits as a unit while Rockhurst collected three.
Upper Iowa was first to make it onto the scoreboard as a home run from Hoodjer in the second inning gave them the initial 1-0 advantage. It wasn't until the fifth inning when they would score again, as
Ethan Sawyer reached second on a double to right center and advanced home on an error by the right fielder.
Their 2-0 lead held until the bottom of the sixth as Rockhurst put one on the board after reaching the base paths from a walk and advancing around on a stolen base, wild pitch and past ball.
Brock Zimmer was given first base after being hit by a pitch and was batted around after Hoodjer lined a double to left center, putting the Peacocks up 3-1.
The Hawks fell short in their comeback effort as they tallied one run in the seventh to trail 3-2, but could not catch the Peacocks, who earned their first win of the day.
Abraham Sanchez earned the win on the mound in game two after throwing for six innings, allowing one hit and run one while striking out eight batters.
GAME TWO: UIU-9, RU-3
Upper Iowa picked up game two after scoring nine runs behind 14 hits, while collecting seven RBI's. Bombardier and Gentile Jr. each contributed three hits, while
Cael Luzum,
Brock Zimmer and
Gunnar Wicklund added two. Rockhurst tallied six hits and three RBI's.
The score was tied 2-2 at the conclusion of the first inning. For the Peacocks, Bombardier doubled down the left field line bringing in Wicklund and Sawyer, who reached base with a double and single, respectively.
Rockhurst grabbed a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth. The Peacocks retaliated with a monstrous fifth inning where they scored six runs on four hits, commanding an 8-2 lead.
Gentile Jr. ripped a triple to left field in the top of the seventh and was brought in after a double to left center from Wicklund, giving UIU the 9-3 advantage and their second win of the day.
Brady Stevens earned the win on the mound after throwing four innings, allowing five hits and three runs while striking out three.
Marcus Champagne grabbed the save in relief after tossing the remaining three innings of the contest, allowing one hit and zero runs.
