GAME 1 BOX SCORE; GAME 2 BOX SCORE
DEFIANCE, OHIO -- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology relied on a strong pitching performance to sweep Defiance College 3-1 and 4-2 in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference baseball opening doubleheader on Saturday.
In the opener, senior Jim Bob Schuler (Salem/North Harrison) tossed a complete game three-hitter with seven strikeouts and just one walk to earn his fourth win of the season.
Sophomore Andrew Benitez (Mililani, Hawaii) led the offensive effort with a clutch two-run single. Junior Donald Stopka (Grayslake, Ill./Carmel Catholic) and senior Will Burchett (Mokena, Ill.) added a single and one run scored.
In the nightcap, Rose-Hulman snapped a 1-1 tie with one run in the eighth and two in the ninth to earn a 4-2 victory.
Junior Ethan Post (Rockford, Mich.) tossed 8.1 strong innings in the nightcap to improve to 2-0 and lead the pitching effort. Post scattered eight hits with no walks and one strikeout. Senior Ryan Fuller (Fort Wayne/Elmhurst) recorded the final two outs for his second save of the season.
Offensively, Stopka paced the offense with a home run and two RBIs. Senior Jamie Weinle (Harrison, Ohio/Olney C.C.) added a solo home run and scored twice. The Engineers were held to four hits by a solid pitching performance from Jake Taylor.
Rose-Hulman improved to 11-4 on the season and 2-0 in HCAC play, while Defiance stands 6-8 and 0-2 in league games. The two teams complete a three-game series with a single game on Sunday at 1 p.m.