Eagles prepare for Tiffin this weekend
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana senior second baseman
Ryan Kaczmarski (Mishawaka, Indiana) and senior left-handed pitcher
Scott Cole (Patrick, Virginia) were named respective GLVC Baseball Player and Pitcher of the Week for their efforts in the Screaming Eagles sweep of Lake Erie College. The weekly honors are the first of Kaczmarski's and Coles career at USI.
Cole made his USI Baseball Field debut a memorable one by no-hitting Lake Erie, 3-0, to complete the doubleheader sweep Saturday. He used 121 pitches in the seven-inning no-hitter, striking out 10. The Storm had 11 batters reach base on seven walks, three fielder's choices, and one error.
The no-hitter was the first by an Eagle pitcher since Alex Thieroff and P.J. Thomas combined to hold Oakland City University hitless in 2008. The pitcher to go the distance in a no-hitter was Adam Vetter against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 2006.
Kaczmarski was a perfect four-for-four at the plate with seven walks, four runs scored, four RBIs, and two doubles in the three games against Lake Erie. The senior infielder was clutch at the plate, driving in the eventual game-winning run series opener and delivered a three-run double in the fourth inning of game three. He also was perfect in 18 chances at second base.
The Eagles (4-2), who rose four spots to 24th nationally in the
Collegiate Baseball/Division II Top 30 poll, have won four-straight games since starting the season with two straight losses. USI hopes to stay on a roll this week when it hosts Tiffin University for a three-game series March 2-4. The first pitch Friday is scheduled for 2 p.m., while Saturday and Sunday are slated for a 1 p.m. and noon start, respectively.
The Dragons started their season with a pair of losses to the University of West Georgia, but bounced back last Saturday with a doubleheader sweep of Ohio Valley College. USI leads the all-time series with Tiffin, 3-0, after sweeping a three-game series from the Dragons at home in 2010.
Collegiate Baseball Division II Top 30
1. Tampa
2. West Florida
Central Missouri
4. Grand Valley St.
5. Seton Hill
6. St. Cloud St.
7. Columbus St.
8. Emporia St.
9. St. Mary's (TX)
10. LeMoyne
11. Delta St.
12. Tusculum
13. North Georgia
14. Southern Conn. St.
15. Cal. St. Chico
UNC Pembroke
17. Franklin Pierce
18. Angelo St.
19. North Alabama
20. Harding
21. Georgia College
22. S.C. Aiken
23. Catawba
24. Southern Indiana
25. Mercyhurst
26. Minnesota St.-Mankato
27. Abilene Christian
Cal. St. Monterey Bay
29. Nova S.E.
30. Lynn
Francis Marion
College Baseball Line-up
1 Tampa Spartans
2 St. Mary's (TX) Rattlers
3 St. Cloud State Huskies
4 West Florida Argonauts
5 UNC Pembroke Braves
6 Southern Connecticut St. Fighting Owls
7 North Alabama Lions
8 Central Missouri Mules
9 Millersville Marauders
10 Grand Valley St. Lakers
11 Columbus St. Cougars
12 Franklin Pierce Ravens
13 Winona St. Warriors
14 Delta St. Statesmen
15 Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles
16 Southern Ark. Muleriders
17 Emporia State Hornets
18 Tusculum Pioneers
19 Incarnate Word Cardinals
20 Minnesota State Mavericks
21 Cal Poly Pomona Broncos
22 Armstrong Atlantic Pirates
23 Le Moyne Dolphins
24 Francis Marion Patriots
25 Seton Hill Griffins
26 Angelo St. Rams
27 Mercyhurst Lakers
28 Cal St. Chico Wildcats
29 Mount Olive Trojans
30 West Chester Golden Rams
