DE PERE, Wis. – Big innings haunted the University of Chicago baseball team in two losses to St. Norbert College on Saturday by scores of 10-5 and 7-5.

The Maroons dropped to 18-8 overall (6-4) and the Green Knights improved to 15-14 (10-4 MWC). The four-game Midwest Conference North Division series was moved to St. Norbert due to inclement weather in Chicago.

Game One – St. Norbert 10, UChicago 5

Josh Parks got the Maroons on the board first as the senior outfielder launched a leadoff homer in the top of the third inning. But the advantage was short lived, as the Green Knights hit a grand slam with two outs in the bottom of the frame.

The hosts kept their momentum rolling with two in the fifth and one in the sixth to go up 7-1. UChicago began to close the gap in the seventh thanks to bases-loaded RBI singles by first-year third baseman Carson Weekley and senior outfielder Connor Hickey. An error pushed another run across before a double play ended the rally.

Parks added an RBI single in the eighth to draw the Maroons closer at 7-5. But St. Norbert strung together five hits and three runs in the bottom of the eighth to keep its advantage.

First-year pitcher Sam Bennett (3-1) took his first loss of the season, allowing six runs in 4.2 innings. Sophomore Chandler Yu (2.2 IP, 3 R) and first-year Arian Tabibian (0.2 IP, 1 R) came in from the bullpen.

Hickey went 3-for-4 to lead the offense and Parks was 2-for-3 among UChicago's nine hits.

Game Two – St. Norbert 7, UChicago 5

The score was tied 1-1 through four innings when St. Norbert struck a body blow in the fifth. With the bases loaded, the home side put up six runs with a two-run single, one-run single and three-run double.

UChicago once again made things interesting late in the game. First-year catcher Brett Riegler doubled to lead off and scored on sophomore shortstop Brian Lyle's single. With two outs, senior first baseman Brady Sarkon knocked a RBI triple, followed by first-year third baseman Ben Rosengard recording a RBI single of his own. A hit-by-pitch drawn by sophomore outfielder Joseph Burns forced in one more. However, a strikeout stranded the bases loaded.

St. Norbert filled the bases themselves with one out in the eighth. But a fielder's choice cut down the runner at home plate and a strikeout provided the third out. UChicago's ninth inning did not produce any more offense as the game ended 7-5.

UChicago equaled its hit output from game one with nine. Junior outfielder Payton Jancsy batted 2-for-5 with a RBI single in the top of the first.

Senior Brenton Villasenor (1-5 record) was the losing pitcher, striking out five with six runs allowed in 4.1 innings of work. Sophomore Zach Morochnik allowed one run in 2.2 innings and junior Arno Curtis worked one inning of scoreless relief.

NEXT GAMES:

• Sunday, April 28 @ 12:00 PM – UChicago at St. Norbert (DH)