The Lakeland baseball team put an end to a seven-game losing streak by defeating Northern Athletics Conference power Aurora in the second game of a doubleheader at Aurora on Saturday afternoon.
In the opening contest, starting pitcher Bill Miller took his fourth loss of the season as the Muskies were outhit 22-8 by the home team en route to a 13-5 loss.
“We got manhandled in the first game,” Lakeland head coach Chris Thousand said. “They hit Bill pretty well. I thought he had good stuff today, but they hit him.”
Sophomores David Novak and Ryan Polizzi each registered two runs batted in for Lakeland. Sophomore Cal Post and junior Jacob Heinemeyer each registered a pair of hits.
The Muskies surpassed last season’s win total of nine by edging the Spartans, 8-7, in the second game.
Catcher David Novak’s third home run of the season sparked a six-run second frame which put Lakeland ahead, 6-2. Novak finished the game 2-of-3.
“We just waited for a pitch we could drive,” Novak said. “Patience was the key for us. Hopefully we can build on this game and this can carry over for the rest of the season.”
Sophomore pitcher Matt Katzman gave up four runs in the first five and one-third innings before being relieved by senior Mike Phillips. Sophomore pitcher Mike Ruzek entered in the ninth to earn the save.
Novak’s twin brother, Doug, ripped a solo shot in the eighth inning to put Lakeland’s advantage at three. Doug Novak led the Muskies with three hits in the game.
“Our pitching was good, we kept them off-balance for the most part,” Thousand said. “We had some good at-bats offensively, especially on hits from David Novak and [sophomore Andrew] Schartner..”
Senior Zach Hilbert, and sophomores Polizzi and Brad Young each recorded two hits.
Less than 24 hours after getting the save at Aurora, Ruzek threw a 158-pitch complete game in a 6-1 win in the second game of a twin bill against conference foe Concordia Chicago.
“My arm feels pretty good, but that probably won’t be the case tomorrow,” Ruzek said with a laugh. “Because I pitched yesterday, I really had to locate the first time through the order until my arm loosened up. I generated a little more movement, and then I threw harder as the game went on.”
Ruzek’s seven strikeout gem was supported by an error-free Muskie defense that completed several highlight-reel plays to keep the Cougars at bay.
“Everyone did a great job,” Thousand said. “Our defense really gets up when Ruzek throws. It helps when he throws off-speed stuff as well.”
The Muskie offense had nine hits and scored in the bottom of the first to give Ruzek an early lead.
Sophomore shortstop Brad Young had two run-scoring hits in the first and third innings to put Lakeland up 5-0 through four.
Schartner added two hits, a run and an RBI.
Thousand praised Ruzek’s performance.
“He’s our best pitcher, everyone on our team knows it,” Thousand said. “He had to prepare very quickly between yesterday’s game and today’s, but he has the work ethic for it. He located well and mixed up his speeds.”
In the first game, Concordia Chicago started quickly, scoring in each of the first three innings off starter Lee Chepil to take a 7-0 lead.
“In the first game, we didn’t make enough adjustments at the plate,” Thousand said.