The SXU Cougar baseball team started off with a win in the Sunshine State over spring break. The Cougars picked up their first win of the season on March 8 against Spring Arbor University in Winter Haven, Florida by a final score of 4-2. The Cougars were led by junior pitcher Lucas Fritsch who gave up only two earned runs on six hits in six innings of work.
The Cougars were down 2-0 until the seventh inning when the bats came alive. They staged a tremendous comeback starting with junior first basemen Thomas Keating when he drove in two
runners with an RBI double to knot the score at two. The Cougars broke the tie at two when freshman centerfielder Jim Augle drove in the go-ahead run and then senior catcher Tony O`Shea added another run for insurance as the Cougars went on to victory.
The team played hard and grinded out a 6-6 record including picking up the first conference win over the seven day Florida road trip. Cougar baseball looks to build off a strong campaign from last season when they went 35-23 and finished fourth place in their conference. Unfortunately their season ended with a loss to Judson University (Ill.) in the CCAC Conference Tournament.
They are more motivated than ever to achieve bigger and better things in 2013 as they are led by O’Shea, Chris Klein and Brad Myjak. The Cougars will continue their road to triumph on March 19 when they play a double-header at Robert Morris. The Cougars play their first home game on March 22 when they host Calumet College of St. Joseph (Ind.). Come out and support the Cougar baseball team that I’m sure will achieve incredible things this season as they look to win the conference crown and a spot at Nationals.
Damone Griffin
Sports Contributor