HAMMOND, Ind. -- Defensive miscues and quiet bats kept the University of St. Francis baseball team from recording a non-conference win over NCAA Division II Purdue University Northwest in a single-game 11-1 loss to the Pride on Friday afternoon at Laborers' Local 41 Field.
The Pride (12-16) totaled eleven hits on the day, compared to the Saints' seven, and benefited from two USF errors which resulted in three unearned runs for the hosts.
The Fighting Saints (14-23) did have four innings of the seven inning shortened game in which they put a runner in scoring position, but were only able to cash in on one. They had a runner at third base with two outs in the first inning, but a hard line out to left field silenced that opportunity. In the second,
Nate Maliska accounted for USF's only run, with a sacrifice fly to centerfield to plate
Dominik Alberico who had reached base earlier in the frame via a base hit.
Purdue Northwest had seven different players drive in at least one run on the day, highlighted by Brett Bounds 3-for-4 day.
PNW starting pitcher Owen Walkowiak (2-3) went the first six innings on the mound, striking out five batters while yielding two walks. USF pitchers, meanwhile, allowed ten free passes (7 walks, 3 hit-by-pitch).
Michael Leonard was credited with the loss on the mound for USF, dropping his season record to 2-5.
Up Next
The Saints will square off against Purdue Northwest again on Saturday (April 11) in the final game of its two-day series. Game time is slated for 1 pm at Slammers Stadium.
You can keep up with everything happening around USF Athletics on X @USFSaints.
