Baseball | 2/18/2023 6:44:00 PM

Written by Josh Garcia
BVU Student Contributor

Topeka, Kan. (Feb. 18, 2023) - The Buena Vista University baseball team began its season with a pair of games against Hamline University on Saturday afternoon. The Beavers won the first game 23-5 and the second game 14-11.
 

Game 1

The Beavers lineup made its presence known right out of the gate. The unit belted three homeruns - from Drew Taylor, Evan Taylor, and Joel Garcia - to jump out to an early 6-0 lead in the second inning. The six-run outburst proved to just the beginning, as the Beavers would go on to score 23 total runs. Jordan Mathewson led the offensive effort contributing three hits, six RBI, including a homerun. Five different Beavers posted multi-hit performances while seven different hitters recorded multi-RBI performances. The lineup boasted the power with four homeruns total in the game, but also displayed their discipline by walking 13 times, with Logan Mueller walking a game-high four times. 

Morgan Smith got the nod to take the mound for the season opener. The right-hander had to pitch through traffic early after walking a pair of Hamline hitters to begin the game, but responded with a strikeout and a double play to end the threat. Smith pitched through traffic for most of the game, having allowed two earned runs on eight hits and two walks across 5.0 innings of work. His efforts would earn him the winning decision. Zach Pleggenkuhle came in for relief of Smith. Pleggenkuhle would record 2.0 scoreless innings while striking out 3 to close out the win for the Beavers.

Game 2

The Beavers lineup picked up right where they left off, opening the game by scoring four runs in the first. Unlike the first game, Hamline responded with big rallies of their own. The teams traded blows throughout the game, but BVU's offense proved to be too much for Hamline to overcome. The unit compiled 14 runs on 13 hits. They were led by Drew Taylor along with Mueller. Taylor recorded two hits and three RBIs. Mueller recorded three hits and three RBIs. Dalton Glenn picked up the win for the Beavers after pitching 5 innings, allowing six runs on nine hits. 

Next Up: The Beavers conclude their three-game weekend series against the Pipers tomorrow afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.