Mlachnik continues to swing a hot stick for Stritch
Milwaukee, Wis. – The Cardinal Stritch University Wolves earned two much needed wins on Thursday, defeating Finlandia University 8-2 and 16-2. Stritch pitching came through, holding the Lions to only 13 hits in two games. Dean Mlachnik (Muskego, Wis.) continues to shine for the Wolves. He contributed five hits, six runs, and five RBI on the day.
The Wolves’ scored first in game one, using Finlandia miscues to bring in Mike Ploch (Burlington, Wis.) and Mlachnik, but the Lions struck back immediately. After a lead off walk, Lee Naugle (Chassell, Mich.) homered over the left field fence to tie the game 2-2.
But that was all Finlandia would manage to get against Stritch pitcher, Brian Hirschinger (Grafton, Wis.). The Wolves continued to score throughout the game, putting up six more runs although only eight total hits were recorded. Stritch closed the first game 8-2.
Hirschinger earned the win and improves to 2-0 on the season. Ploch, Mlachnik, and Micah Thompson (North Prairie, Wis.) each had two hits in the game. Mlachnik also scored three runs and earned two RBI.
After giving up a run in the top of the first inning of game two, the Wolves scored six in the bottom half of the inning to gain a five run lead. Stritch used singles by Sterling Smith (Lombard, Ill.), Tyler Henkel (Rhinelander, Wis.), Andy Abromaitis (Oak Creek, Wis.), Lucas Simon (Fond du Lac, Wis.), and Thompson, as well as doubles by Mlachnik and Jake Lark (Germantown, Wis.) to bat through the order before the Lions caught Thompson stealing to end the inning.
The Wolves were held scoreless in the second and third innings, while Finlandia used a double, a stolen base, and a sacrifice fly to decrease the Stritch lead to four. But in the fourth the Wolves bats were unstoppable, and the Lion’s didn’t record an out until the ninth batter of the inning. Stritch scored eight runs before Finlandia was able to get out of the jam. The lead grew to 16-2 in the fifth when Paul Blair (Lakewood, Calif.) doubled to bring in Henkel and Mlachnik. Neither team scored again, giving the Wolves the 16-2 win.
Marcus Perleberg (Delafield, Wis.) gets the win for Stritch and improves to 2-0 on the season. He gave up only five hits and two runs.
Mlachnik led the way again, recording three hits, three runs scored, and three RBI. Smith went 3-3 with two RBI and two runs scored. John Bahm (Justice, Ill.), Abromaitis, Simon, Lark, and Thompson earned two hits apiece. Lark contributed three RBI for the Wolves.
Thursday’s wins take Stritch to 15-25 overall. They will travel to Chicago, Ill. on Friday, Apr. 23, to face Robert Morris University in a double header. Game one will begin at 1:00 p.m.