The Muskies ended their 4-game losing streak Monday, splitting a doubleheader against Concordia University Chicago.
Led by a stellar pitching performance by Mike Ruzek, the Muskies were able to take the first game 10-3, but they would drop the second game 18-3 in 7 innings.
In the first game Ruzek pitched a complete game, allowing just 2 runs on eight hits, and striking out three to earn his third win of the season. “They are a good hitting team, so I knew I had to deliver a good performance.” Stated Ruzek, “Getting the offensive support just made my job that much easier.”
Ruzek would also be the one to jump start the Muskie offense hitting a three-run home run in the first inning, scoring Andy Chitwood and Nate Soley.
The Muskies would then score 6 more runs in the seventh to put the game out of reach for Concordia. Chitwood and Ryan Boettcher both drove in two runs in the inning, while Charlie Sparrow and Garret Morris also both drove in runs.
Chitwood, Soley, and Ruzek all had great games at the plate. Ruzek went 3-5 with three RBIs, Soley finished 4-6 scoring two runs, and Chitwood would go 2-5 with two RBIs.
The second game would be a different story for the Muskies. Chitwood would start the game allowing 10 on seven hits, making it only 1 1/3 innings. Three different relievers combined to allow eight runs on 13 hits.
The Muskie offense also struggled more in the second game scoring only three runs on seven hits. The defense also struggled committing five errors.
It looked bad right from the start for the Muskies when the Cougars scored six runs right away in the first inning. Concordia would go on to hit four home runs, two of which were hit by Nick Scala in the third inning.
Ruzek continued to stay hot at the plate going 2-2 in the game, and Boettcher finished the game 1-3 with an RBI as well, but the Muskie offense was never really able to threaten the Concordia lead.
The Muskies will be back in action this Wednesday, April 11, in a non-conference doubleheader against Ripon College, starting at 1 p.m.