STORM LAKE, Iowa (April 1, 2022) - The Buena Vista University baseball team came out on the wrong end of a thrilling 1-0 pitchers duel on Friday night against No. 16 Loras College to begin their three-game weekend series.

Both starting pitcher's went back-and-forth in the early going with Loras tallying the game's only three hits until the fifth.  Following a one-out double and a groundout that pushed a runner to third, the Duhawks plated the game's only run on a sharp single to center.

BVU had its best chance to score in the bottom of the eighth inning, loading the bases with only one out and the top of the line-up coming up.  That rally chased Loras starter, Davis Pasco, but brought in its closer, Dylan Peters, who came in with five saves on the year.  The Beavers, though couldn't squeeze out the big base knock, forcing out a runner at home on a fielder's choice ground out to first followed by a ground out to shortstop to end the threat.

Freshman Morgan Smith did his part to keep the Beavers within striking distance all game, tossing his first complete-game of the year, striking out 11 and surrendering just one walk despite falling to 3-1 overall..  He's now fanned 25 batters over his last two outings and has 42 on the year.  

Calvin Harris and Kyler Corcoran each singled during the eighth inning for BVU's only two hits of the contest.  

Buena Vista had its four-game overall win streak snapped with the loss and now sit at 11-7 on the year (3-1 A-R-C).  The Beavers and Duhawks wrap up the series with a doubleheader on Saturday.  First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.