Junior first baseman Charlie Bartholomew blasted his second career home run in the eighth inning to help the Tommies secure the series win against the University of Nebraska-Omaha Friday at Koch Diamond.
The Tommies (9-14 overall, 15-29 Summit League) came from behind to secure the victory against the Mavericks (12-11, 23-28) on Senior Day. They reached double-digit hits for the second consecutive game, outhitting their opponents 13-11 on the day and 28-16 on the series.
“That was our style of play last year,” coach Chris Olean said. “We kept them close with two-out hitting, small ball, all that stuff, and they executed.”
First-year Evan Esch started with a scoreless first inning but fell into trouble in the second. Esch gave up three consecutive hits to start the inning, including a leadoff solo home run by sophomore designated hitter Noah Greise.
Esch completed four innings, giving up two runs, five hits and striking out four.
The Mavericks scored an additional run off an RBI single by senior center fielder Harrison Denk. Esch limited damage, ending the inning with runners on third and second.
Sophomore pitcher Duke Coborn relieved Esch to start the fifth inning and kept the Mavericks quiet, going four innings, giving up six hits and no runs.
“We had good pitching for the most part; the defense was solid,” Olean said. “The seniors showed up on Senior Day, which was really fun to see.”
Neither team found the scoreboard again until the Tommies broke through with a run in the fifth inning. Senior centerfielder Avery Lehman hit a sac fly that scored first-year right fielder Tanner Marsh.
The Tommies tied it up in the sixth after first-year left fielder Brigs Richartz singled and stole second. Sophomore catcher Max Moris brought Richartz home with a single.
“It’s always nice to be playing good baseball at the end of the season,” Bartholomew said. “Things are coming together and starting to click at the right time.”
The lead was extended by three in the eighth; first-year DH Ben Vujovich led off with a single and was moved over on a sac bunt by senior third baseman Matt Halverson. Richartz followed the sacrifice with an RBI single that scored Vujovich from second.
Richartz moved to second on a Moris groundout and scored when Bartholomew clobbered his two-run home run to Selby Avenue to give the Tommies a 5-2 lead.
“You can check the stats, I’m not a home run guy,” Bartholomew said. “So anytime you can just guide one out of the park it’s pretty special.”
Junior closer T.J. Constertina set the Mavericks down in order in the ninth to close out the series win.
The Tommies travel to Miesville, Minnesota, Saturday to attempt to secure their first series sweep at Jack Ruhr Field, home of the Miesville Mudhens. Game time is 5 p.m. and tickets can be purchased at the field for $8 (Cash only).
“It feels good to leave Koch Diamond with a dubby,” Lehman said. “It’s the first sweep if we can do it, I think we just keep playing how we are.”
Sam Larson can be reached at lars4378@stthomas.edu.