GAME 1 BOX SCORE; GAME 2 BOX SCORE
TERRE HAUTE, IND. -- Rose-Hulman Institute of
Technology improved to 10-3 in Heartland Collegiate Athletic
Conference baseball action with a 6-1 and 4-2 sweep over Hanover
College on Friday night at Art Nehf Field.
In the opener, senior Jim Bob Schuler (Salem/North Harrison) tossed a complete game seven-hitter with no earned runs allowed and three strikeouts to move to 5-2 on the season.
Offensively, Rose-Hulman scored four runs in the second inning to earn the victory. Sophomore Hank Akard (Indianapolis/Ben Davis), senior Jamie Weinle (Harrison, Ohio/Olney C.C.) and sophomore Parker Fulkerson (Terre Haute/North) had two hits each to lead the Engineers. Akard had one RBI, Weinle blasted a double with one RBI, and Fulkerson had a double, one run and one RBI.
Senior Will Burchett (Mokena, Ill./Providence Catholic) added a triple and scored two runs to provide support.
Defensively, Rose-Hulman turned a school record tying five double plays in the opener to lead the balanced performance.
In the nightcap, freshman Ben Menich (Prospect, Ill./Mount Prospect) matched the game one pitching effort with seven innings of one run work. Menich struck out four and scattered seven hits in his third win of the year. Senior Ryan Fuller (Fort Wayne/Elmhurst) pitched the final two innings for his third save.
Offensively, Akard and junior Nick Pilipovich (Terre Haute/North Vigo) paced the game two offense with two hits each. Junior Bobby Newman (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg) also scored two runs for the Engineers.
Rose-Hulman relied on a sacrifice fly by junior Donald Stopka (Grayslake, Ill./Carmel Catholic) and an RBI single from Pilipovich to take a 2-1 lead after four innings. In the seventh, Weinle drove home one run and Rose-Hulman also took advantage of a fielding error for the second run.
Rose-Hulman improved to 19-8 on the season and 10-3 in HCAC play, while Hanover dropped to 17-12 and 7-7 in league games. The two teams will complete their series with a single game on Saturday at 6 p.m.