STORM LAKE, Iowa (Apr. 27, 2024) - The Buena Vista University baseball team blew a 4-0 eighth inning lead in game two of Saturday's 6-5 game two loss against Loras College and had to settle for a doubleheader split after taking the opener, 12-6.

The Beavers appeared in full control of the nightcap through seven innings. Junior right hander Mark Eddie pitched seven scoreless innings, scattering six hits and striking out five. Senior Calvin Harris recorded a 2-run double while fellow senior Grant Oseka added an RBI single in the first inning as the Beavers built an early 3-0 advantage. Junior Evan Taylor added to his RBI total with a run-scoring single in the seventh that made it a four run lead.

The Duhawks rallied in the seventh by taking advantage of a pair of defensive miscues by the Beavers which led to four unearned runs scoring as they took a 5-4 lead. Loras then took advantage of a third error by BVU in the top of the ninth which ultimately led to its sixth run and a 6-4 lead.

BVU had the bases loaded and just one out in the bottom of the ninth with the heart of the order to follow, but was only able to scratch across one run on an RBI groundout by Evan Taylor before a popout into shallow right center field ended the game.

Harris' double was the only extra-base hit for the Beavers in the contest despite the team finishing 14 overall. He was one of five players in the line-up with two hits overall.

Freshman Johnny Vallinch suffered the loss after taking over to start the eighth. He was charged with five runs (only one earned) while allowing two hits and a pair of walks in only 0.2 innings, as he drops to 3-2 on the year.

Evan Taylor drove in a game-high five runs in the opener for BVU, including a big bases clearing 3-run double in the fifth inning that put the Beavers in front for good at 7-4. In the previous half inning, sophomore center fielder Tegan Bock kept the game tied at 4-4 with a diving catch into right center field that saved a pair of runs.

After Loras hit a solo home run in the top of the first, BVU came back with fours runs in the second. The Duhawks got one run back in the third with an RBI single to make it 4-2. Two more RBI singles in the fifth pulled them even at 4-4 before Evan's double in the bottom half.

The Beavers added a run despite grounding into a double play in the sixth before Evan Taylor added a key 2-run single in the seventh that extended the margin to 10-5. BVU added its final two runs in the eighth before Loras was able to plate one in the ninth.

Joel Garcia led BVU at the plate by going 4-for-5 with a pair of RBI and one run scored. Oseka was 3-for-4 with a pair of RBI while Evan Taylor was 2-for-5 with his five total runs driven in.

The two teams combined for 28 base hits in the game with only five going for extra bases.

Junior Morgan Smith battled through seven innings to earn the win and improve to 3-2 on the season. The right hander allowed five runs, 11 hits and struck out eight. Mason Gehling worked the final two innings and was tagged for a run while scattering four hits and punching out two.

Buena Vista is now 25-10 on the year (14-6 A-R-C) and will look to win the series on Sunday, Apr. 28, when the two teams will attempt to take the field for a 10 a.m first pitch. Stay tuned to www.bvuathletics.com as well as the BVU Athletics social media channels for any potential schedule updates for the game.