Game One Box Score

Game Two Box Score

Somers, Wis.- Jack Olson pitched nine spectacular innings as the Rangers rallied for a 3-2 extra inning victory against Bellarmine University on Saturday. The win helped salvage a split after the Knights won game one, 10-1. The two teams will meet again Sunday at Oberbruner Field. Sunday will be Senior Day at UW-Parkside as the Rangers honor their seven departing seniors.

Game Two
Bellarmine carried a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning and was just three outs from victory before the Rangers rallied against closer, Phil Forbis. Gentry VanAllen and Ben Korman singled to start the frame. Brad Liermann then followed with a sacrifice which proved to be a pivotal play.

Taylor Schwarz came up next and lined a shot to first that Brian Hockman caught on the dive to save the game. But in Hockman's attempt to double off the runner at second the ball caromed into left field allowing VanAllen to score and tie the game.

“He's really tough,” said Head Coach Joel Weaver of Forbis. “He's got a funky motion and he's really deceptive. I thought our guys were really relaxed and confident in there and we had some good it bats. It's no small feat to get a win against the arms they had out there today.”

Olson continued to pitch well, retiring all six batters he faced in extra innings, setting up the dramatic finish.

Korman came up with another big hit to start the inning against reliever, Kyle Grana. Liermann had another sacrifice to set-up the final play.

Schwarz hit a slow chopper to the left of the mound that turned into a difficult play for third baseman, Zach Blanchard. His hurried throw carried the first baseman into the baseline and as he attempted to tag Schwarz the ball was dislodged and trickled into the outfield. As the ball rolled away Korman came roaring down the line to score and give the Rangers the victory.

“I'm really proud of how we came out in the second game,” said Weaver. “Our effort was great, our energy was great, and we battled. We could have rolled over after that first one but the guys showed some toughness today.”

Not to be overshadowed was the work of Olson. The senior, in his final start at Oberbruner Field went the distance to earn his fourth win of the season. He allowed just two runs on six hits in tossing his 13th career complete game.

“Just a gutty senior performance by Jack today,” said Weaver. He was locked in all day from the first pitch … just phenomenal. We couldn't have asked for a better outing.”

Parkside scratched a run across in the second inning to take an early lead. Dave Lojeski singled and Kirk Haviland was hit by a pitch to put two runners on. After a VanAllen sacrifice bunt, Rob Bellish delivered a sacrifice fly to center to drive in Lojeski.

The score remained 1-0 until the sixth when Olson ran into some horrible luck and the Knights grabbed the lead. With two away, Olson coaxed a routine grounder to second base but Bellish was injured in his attempt to make the play and the batter reached.

Bellarmine followed with a triple down the right field line that narrowly avoided the glove of John Perszyk, tying the game. The batter reached with an infield hit to capture the lead. A lead that remained until the bottom of the seventh when the Rangers mounted their comeback.

Korman and Lojeski each had two hits in game two. Each team was limited to just six hits for the game.

Game One
Bellarmine jumped out in front in the opener with a run in the second against Ryan Windt and never looked back. John Lyons bounced a two-out single up the middle to score Kal Scheler from second.

The Rangers were their own worst enemy in the third as they committed four errors to help Bellarmine take control. The first two batters reached via error before two straight singles to make it 4-0. Another error with two away brought in the fourth run of the inning and opened things up.

The Knights would add two more in the fourth on a two-run single by Braxton Graven and three in the eighth on a home run by David Weinstein.

Parkside got its' run in the bottom of the eighth when John Perszyk knocked in John Brennan with a groundout. Perszyk and Brennan each led the offense with two hits.

The two teams will be back in action tomorrow with a noon start at Oberbruner Field.