TERRE HAUTE, IND. -- Rose-Hulman
Institute of Technology senior Andrew Oakley
(Clinton Township, Mich./Chippewa Valley)
(pictured) tossed seven shutout innings to lead the
Engineers past Defiance 6-1 in the league opener on Friday
night.
Oakley allowed just three hits and three walks over seven innings with a career-high eight strikeouts to move to 5-0 on the season.
Freshman Kevin Farley (Centennial, Colo.) tossed the final two innings to complete the strong pitching performance.
Offensively, the Engineers scored three times in the third inning to secure the victory. Sophomore Donald Stopka (Grayslake, Ill./Carmel Catholic) led the offense with a two-run home run.
Senior Chris Stemple (Mount Vernon) and junior Derek Dauenbaugh (Bloomington, Ill./University) slapped two singles each to provide depth to the hitting effort. Senior Michael Kovacs (Cincinnati, Ohio/Moeller) and senior Neil Kreuger (Beach Park, Ill./Zion Benton) added doubles.
Rose-Hulman's winning streak hit six games since returning north from the Florida Spring Trip with Friday's victory.
Rose-Hulman improved to 11-4 overall and 1-0 in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference play, while Defiance dropped to 3-11 and 0-1 in conference games. The two teams conclude their three-game series with a doubleheader on Saturday at noon.