Pitching Dominates, Reivers Sweep Iowa Lakes

Iowa Western sweeps Iowa Lakes in a 4-Game series to start the 2018 play at Doc Ross Field.

Game 1: The Reivers put up 10 in support of Sean Chandler (RS/SO Bellevue, NE) who strikes out 11 as Iowa Wester rolls to a 10-0 (5-inn.) victory in Game 1. Chandler (1-0 on season) allowed a single lone base runner in the game with a single to start the top of the 5th inning.  Chandler snubbed out any hope of that runner crossing the plate by striking out the side.  The offense was lead by Cole Evans (SO Columbia, MO) who went 2-3 with 3 RBIs and Tanner Holen (SO Manhattan, KS) who went 1-1 with a HR, a Walk, and 2 Runs scored.

Game 2: The Iowa Western pitching staff continued to quiet the Laker bats as Marius Balandis (FR Lockport, IL) spans 3 hits across 5 innings of work striking out 4 while the Reiver offense rattled off 13 hits and 10 runs to give Balandis (1-1 on season) his collegiate victory.  Tyler Reichenborn (SO Brookland Park, MN) lead the offense going 3-4 with 3 RBIs and 2 runs scored. Benjamin Sneider (SO Larkspur, CO) went 1-3 with a 2B and an RBI as he tallied his first hit this spring. Reivers win game 2 10-0 in 5 innings.

Game 3: The Lakers came out swinging after only having 5 hits on Saturday and put up 8 hits and 2 BBs pushing across 4 runs however the bats stayed hot as Iowa Western scored 9 runs to take game 3 9-4. The offense took advantage of 9 free bases and timely hitting to push across those runs. Brandon Bena (SO Omaha, NE) lead the charge for the offense going 2-3 with a run and a RBI.

Game 4: Ben Dotzler (SO Ida Grove, IA) finished off the weekend giving up 2 hits in 5 innings of work earning his first win of the season while the offense closed the door on Iowa Lakes with a 10-0 (5-inn) victory completing the sweep.  Kobe Hyland (SO Spruce Grove, ALB, Can) went 3-4 in the game with 3 RBIs and 2 runs scored while Breyden Eckhout (SO Amherst, NE) went 2-3 with a 2B, a 3B, and 2 runs scored.