Knights defeat Presentation

By JEN SEAVEY

Journal Sports Editor

NEW ULM -- Jon Bauer wasn't going to let himself go three games without a hit, and he delivered, going 4-for-5 in Martin Luther College's 9-4 win over Presentation College Friday at Mueller Park.

In his first at-bat, Bauer laid down a bunt that dribbled between the pitcher and first baseman, setting up Noah Bater's two-RBI single to left to put MLC on the board 2-0.

"I went the whole day [Tuesday] without a hit," Bauer said. "When Jeff gets on, nine times out of 10, I have to sacrifice bunt. So the first time up when I was supposed to have a sacrifice and I got a hit, it was a boost of confidence for the rest of the day."

Bater scored after Jason Fry laid down a perfect bunt single and Brett Krause hit a single to right, upping the score to 3-0. Brett Krause went 2-for-3 and Fry was 2-for-5.

In the second inning, Bauer hit Ryan Holper home with a shot up the middle and Shane Krause sent Bauer home on a blast to right-center.

"Shane Krause hit the ball well today," Bauer said. "He hit the two-hopper to the fence and a couple other nice hits.

"It was nice to break out," Bauer said. "We've only had a couple of hits the last few games."

The Knights ended the day with 16 hits. Shane Krause also went 4-for-5 for MLC with two RBIs.

The Knights had a mid-game slump in the third through sixth innings and gave up three runs in the sixth to the Saints.

The Knights had a 5-4-3 double play to make the fourth inning short.

"That was a nice play: Jackson got to to Frey and he got it to me and I was able to stay on the bag," Bauer said. "We threw a couple of young guys today who don't have a lot of experience, and when that happens, you've got to have solid defense in the infield."

Phil Gurgel relieved starting pitcher David Frey after Frey gave up a single, double and triple to the first three batters. Frey gave up five hits and four walks. The MLC defense retired the side, and Gurgel went 1 1/3 inning, and Jason Fry got out of the bases-loaded situation after walking one home.

"The first two pitchers don't have many innings pitched and there were a lot of walks," coach Drew Buck said. "We were able to get around that because we scored early and had something to accommodated us for a little while. Walks will come back to haunt you, but it didn't hurt s as much as it could have.

With the score 5-4, MLC took charge of the game again in the seventh, getting six of its 16 runs and scoring two runs in each of the last two innings for the win.

MLC (7-11, 5-11) hosts Presentation again in a doubleheader at noon at Mueller Park.