It was a tight game until Rockhurst University scored seven late runs for the 9-3 victory over the Dragons on Sunday at E.S. Rose Park - Nashville, TN.
Larson got it done on the hill for Rockhurst, going the distance on the way to a win. He allowed three runs, struck out 11, walked one, and gave up 12 hits. Rockhurst University's Jones, Baker and Stacks combined for four hits and five RBIs.
Wyatt Myers was charged with the loss. He lasted just 1 2/3 innings, walked none, struck out none, and allowed one run.
Rockhurst University jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third. Stacks homered, plating Jones after a single by Jones got things started. Rockhurst University never surrendered the lead after the eighth inning, scoring seven runs on an RBI double by Marr.
In the nightcap, Illinois-Springfield defeated the Dragons 4-3. The Dragons sent Brady Ward to the hill. Ward lasted 4 innings, surrendering 4 hits, 4 runs, walked 5, and struck out 2. The Prairie Stars struck for a run in the 2nd inning on a bases loaded walk, a triple to left center field and a double down the left field line plated a pair of runs in the 4th, and a bouncing ball through the right side of the infield in the 5th, pushed the Illinois-Springfield lead to 4-0.
The Dragons had no problem putting runners on base, out hitting Illinois-Springfield 8 to 4, but finding that timely hit plagued them, as they stranded a total of seven runners. But in the 7th inning they found their stride. Garret Vernau pushed the first Dragon run to the plate on a fielder's choice. With runners at every base, Alex Hartley laced a ball into left field, scoring two more runs to pull the Dragons within a run, at 4-3.
Steven Gonzalez came on in relief of Ward, and pitched outstandingly. Gonzalez threw 5 shutout innings, not allowing a hit, and struck out 3. The Prairie Stars' staff held Tiffin in check in the final two innings, leading to a 4-3 Dragon loss.
Brady Ward took the loss on the mound for the Dragons. At the plate, Alex Hartley, Cody Spires, and Noah Heard each collected two hits, and Hartley knocked in two runs.
The Dragons fall to 1-3, and will be back in action this Friday, March 6th, in Kentucky to tangle with the Bellarmine University Knights.
