TOLEDO, Ohio (LourdesAthletics.com) – The Lourdes University baseball team faced Cleary University in a doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon at Mercy Field. The Gray Wolves were defeated 7-2 in the first game and 9-6 in the second, dropping their record to 8-23 on the season.
Game 1: Cleary 7, Lourdes 2
The first game remained scoreless through the first five innings, with both teams struggling to break through. However, Cleary exploded for five runs in the top of the sixth. The rally started with a double to left-center, scoring two. Following an error by Lourdes, Cleary reached first base and helped clear the bases, driving in two unearned runs. A sacrifice fly added an insurance run to make it 5-0.
Lourdes responded in the bottom of the sixth inning. Jackson Kennedy doubled to left-center to score Zane Mullins, and an error by Cleary's shortstop allowed Nick DiGennaro to reach and score Kennedy, cutting the deficit to 5-2.
Cleary answered with two more runs in the top of the seventh, extending the lead to 7-2. The Gray Wolves were unable to mount a comeback, and Cleary held on for the 7-2 victory.
Brenden Holland (0-2) took the loss for Lourdes, giving up five runs (four earned) on six hits in 5.1 innings of work. Justin Savina (4-1) earned the win for Cleary, allowing two runs (one earned) on eight hits over six innings while striking out three.
Game 2: Cleary 9, Lourdes 6
The team fell 9-6 in the second game of their doubleheader as Cleary struck first, scoring two unearned runs in the top of the second inning. Lourdes answered back in the third, with Jackson Kennedy's sacrifice fly bringing home Landon Brown to cut the lead to 3-1. Cleary extended their advantage in the fourth with a two-run single, followed by another RBI single, pushing the score to 6-1. Lourdes responded with a solo home run from Jase Kennedy in the bottom of the fourth, narrowing the gap to 6-2. However, Cleary added another run in the sixth and two more in the ninth to go up 9-2.
The Gray Wolves mounted a late comeback, starting with Jase Kennedy's second home run of the game in the ninth inning. They continued to chip away at the deficit, with RBI singles from Brown, Joel Suraganan, and Jackson Kennedy pulling them to within 9-6. However, the rally fell short as Cleary held on for the win.
Zane Mullins (0-3) took the loss for Lourdes, allowing six runs (four earned) on eight hits in four innings of work. Ryan Butler, Avery Harper, and Noah Maniaci combined to pitch the final five innings in relief, with Butler allowing one earned run and Harper and Maniaci keeping Cleary off the board in their appearances. Brandon Seman (3-2) earned the win for Cleary, pitching seven strong innings, surrendering just two runs while striking out eight. Justin Westerhof picked up the save with a scoreless ninth inning.
Kennedy was the standout performer for Lourdes, hitting two home runs and driving in three RBIs. Brown also contributed with three hits, including an RBI.
Up Next:
The team heads up to Adrian, Mich. for a doubleheader against Siena Heights University on Saturday, April 12, 2025. The first game will begin at 1 PM, followed by the second game at 3 PM.
