March 31, 2006

Maroons Win Home Opener

CHICAGO -- Senior pitcher Dan Yeksigian (Downers Grove, Ill./ Benet) posted a complete-game victory as the University of Chicago baseball team defeated North Central College 10-6 in the Maroons' home opener Friday at J. Kyle Anderson Field.

Yeksigian held the Cardinals (4-8) to one run in the first seven innings as he improved to 3-0 on the year. The right-hander allowed only four hits during the first eight frames before North Central rallied for four runs in the top of the ninth. He fanned eight, giving him 25 strikeouts in 25.0 innings of work this season.

Chicago (3-8) exploded for six runs in the first inning, capped by a two-out, two-run single off the bat of freshman right fielder Travis Blane (Valparaiso, Ind./ Valparaiso).

Freshman catcher Scott Hofer (San Marino, Calif./ Flintridge Prep) delivered an RBI triple as part of a two-run Chicago fourth to extend his hitting streak to six games -- each with multiple hits.

Junior shortstop Tony Zitek (Tampa, Fla./ Plant) and sophomore center fielder Nathan Ginsberg (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y./ Dobbs Ferry) each had run-scoring singles in the seventh as Chicago increased its lead to 10-2. Ginsberg collected a pair of RBIs on the afternoon.

North Central first baseman Geoff Pignatiello drove in five runs, including a bases-clearing double in the top of the ninth. Mike Alvarado (0-1) took the loss after yielding 10 runs -- two earned -- over seven frames.

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