Box Score WHEATON, Ill. – A wild ninth inning provided the drama in the University of Chicago baseball team's 2021 debut, as the Maroons lost by a 4-2 margin against Calvin University.
Wheaton College's Lee Pfund Stadium was the site of the neutral contest between UChicago and Calvin. Pitching ruled the day for the first eight innings. The Knights received a complete-game effort from pitcher Trevor VanDuyn, who stifled the Maroon bats with only four hits and one walk allowed. On the opposing rubber, sophomore Tyler Sarkisian got the call as the starter and delivered four solid innings. Sarkisian struck out five batters with one run allowed on three hits. He was subsequently relieved by sophomore Dylan White, who pitched into the ninth inning.
Two errors in the top of the first inning put the Maroons on the back foot, but they escaped the jam by inducing a double play. Calvin eventually put one on the board with an RBI groundout in the fourth inning. UChicago would then get one back in the bottom of the fifth. Sophomore first baseman Matthew Guyton smacked a triple to right center and scored on a grounder by junior catcher Brett Riegler.
Both offenses remained dormant until the ninth inning. With one out in that frame, the Knights loaded the bases with one out. After a Maroon pitching change, Calvin brought in one on a sacrifice fly, then plated two more on a double to left center.
UChicago looked poised to return the favor in the bottom of the inning. A two-out single up the middle from fifth-year senior outfielder Payton Jancsy cut the deficit to 4-2. A subsequent single filled the bags. However, an infield groundout extinguished the rally.
The Maroon hits were provided by Guyton, Jancsy, sophomore designated hitter Blane Soper and first-year outfielder Truman Pierson. The defense committed three errors on the day.
White took the loss in 4.1 innings pitched (four hits, three runs, two walks, three strikeouts). Sophomore Cole Silva got the final two outs on the mound.
NEXT GAMES:
- Saturday, March 13 @ 11 AM / 2 PM – UChicago at Wheaton / UChicago vs. Calvin
