Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 The Rockhurst Hawks (11-8, 4-4 GLVC) dropped two games at Wisconsin Parkside (4-7, 3-5 GLVC) Saturday and settled for a 2-2 series split in mid-30 degree weather in Kenosha, Wis. Rangers pitching held Rockhurst to eight total hits on the day.
 
In the first game, Parkside was able to score one run in the third and added another in the fourth to take a 2-0. Both runs came with two outs and runners in scoring position. The Hawks committed one error in the game, which led to the first run.
 
The starting pitcher for the Rangers, Mario Samuel, held the Hawks to three hits on the day. He was able to go 5.2 innings before handing the ball off to John Perez, who recorded the four-out save. Samuel, the 2014 GLVC Freshman of the Year, earned the win.
 
Sophomore right-handed pitcher Alex Merithew took the loss after throwing 6.0 innings giving up two runs, only one earned, walking two and striking out four. He gave up four hits on the day in a complete game outing.
 
Freshman designated hitter Jeremy Lufft paced the Hawks with two hits on the day and scored one run. Senior outfielder Calin McCourt also added one hit and one RBI.
 
In game two, the temperature dropped to 35 degrees for the first pitch at 2:05 p.m. The Rangers jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning thanks to back-to-back doubles. Troy Bittenbender laced a line drive to the left-field wall that senior outfielder Caleb Baker attempted to make an over-the-shoulder catch steps before reaching the wall. He got a glove on it, but was unable able to come up with the catch. 
 
Ryan Ruediger then came up and hit a sinking line drive to right-center field where senior outfielder Calin McCourt dove, got a glove on it, but could not secure it. If the catch had been made, it would have been a sure inning-ending double play as the runner on second base was stealing on the pitch. After an infield hit put runners on first and third, Parkside called the suicide squeeze and was successful in getting the bunt down and scoring the run.
 
Sophomore left-handed pitcher Grant Otte was tacked with the loss as he went 8.0 innings, giving up two runs on seven hits, walking two and striking out six. He did record a complete game in his attempt. Rangers' Tyler Jandron earned the win, as he was able to go the distance for a complete game shutout. He gave up five hits, walked one and struck out nine.
 
Baker led the Hawks' hitting attack accounting for two of the five hits. McCourt, Lufft and sophomore shortstop Brett Marr each added one hit.
 
Rockhurst will return to action Tuesday (March 24) as they take on non-conference foe Missouri Western (16-8, 11-4 MIAA) at Loyola Park at 6 p.m. It is still to be determined whether the game will be broadcast on the Hawks All-Access Network.

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