Union Defeats Dike 2-1

For the second time in a week, the Union baseball team has defeated the league’s first place team. On Tuesday, Union defeated Waterloo Columbus 3-2 in a well played ball game which helped put Dike into a first place tie with the Sailors. On Thursday, July 3, the Knights traveled to Dike, played a solid game, and came away with a 2-1 victory.

Union gained an early lead by scoring one in the first inning. Freshman, Derek Holschlag, reached on an error and later scored on a two out single by junior Alex Barz.

Dike answered right back by scoring their lone run in the bottom half as their lead-off batter would reach on an error and scored later on a ground out. Union starter, Brady Driscol, and the Union defense would take care of the Wolverines the rest of the way with solid pitching and several good defensive plays to hold the home team scoreless the remaining six innings.

Union took the lead in the top of the third when senior Ted Tecklenburg lined a single to left and advanced to second on a misplayed ball hit by Barz. Driscol then reached on a fielder’s choice which put runners at the corners with two outs. Tecklenburg and Driscol then executed a delayed steal play which allowed Tecklenburg to steal home to break the 1-1 tie.

Union made key defensive plays in the sixth and seventh innings to stop Dike’s scoring threats and held on for the 2-1 win.

The following had hits for the Knights: Holschlag, Tecklenburg (2), Barz, Driscol, Stech, and Sells.

Brady Driscol earned the win on the mound allowing six hits, no earned runs, struck out four and walked one.

Union is now 11-7 (third place in the NICL East) and 11-15 overall.