Mar. 23, 2009
Maroons Split With MIT; Baldea Wins #300

PHOENIX -- The University of Chicago baseball team split a doubleheader against the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Monday on the second day of its spring break tour. Chicago's win in game two marked the 300th career victory for Head Coach Brian Baldea.

In game one, the Maroons trailed 6-5 after four innings before MIT plated two runs in the fifth, four in the sixth, and two more in the seventh in a 14-6 victory. Sophomore Zach Osman (Long Beach, Ind./ Marquette) went 3-for-3 with three RBIs, while senior Scott Hofer (San Marino, Calif./ Flintridge Prep) delivered a pair of RBIs for the Maroons. Senior Kyle Schmitt (Hoffman Estates, Ill./ Fremd) collected two hits in four at-bats and scored twice. Senior starting pitcher Alex Gallan (Downers Grove, Ill./ South) took the loss after allowing seven earned runs over 4.1 frames.

Six of their first seven batters hit safely as the Maroons scored five runs in the first inning en route to a 9-3 win in the nightcap. Junior Rob Serpico (Schaumburg, Ill./ Hampshire) and senior Travis Blane (Valparaiso, Ind./ Valparaiso) delivered a two-run double and two-run single, respectively, in the opening frame. Osman went 3-for-4, giving him six hits in seven at-bats on the day. Sophomore Dan McConologue (Lockport, Ill./ Lockport) went the distance in his first start of the year. He allowed 10 hits and three runs, while fanning four.

The victory improved Baldea's record at Chicago to 300-284-3 during his 19-year tenure. Baldea is the winningest coach in the 117-year history of baseball at Chicago.

Chicago (2-1) returns to action Tuesday, Mar. 24 with a doubleheader against Eastern Connecticut State University.