Lawrence Tech Falls 6-0 to Aquinas in Seven-Inning Home Defeat
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AQU | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| LAW | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A strong early surge from Aquinas (MI) and a complete-game shutout by starter Sam Pollack sent Lawrence Tech to a 6-0 loss in a seven-inning matchup Saturday afternoon in Utica, Michigan.
Aquinas capitalized in the top of the first inning to seize control, scoring twice without the benefit of an extra-base hit. With the bases loaded, Chase Robinson drew a walk to force in Stephen Weinert for the game’s first run. Moments later, Kasy Shadduck lifted a sacrifice fly to center field to score Dylan Nguyen, putting Lawrence Tech in an early 2-0 hole.
The decisive frame came in the third, when Aquinas added three more runs, all unearned, to break the game open. Shadduck delivered again with a two-run single that brought home Robinson and Joey Hysell to extend the lead to 4-0. JT LaMange followed with an RBI groundout to second base, scoring Shadduck and pushing the advantage to 5-0. Defensive miscues proved costly for the Blue Devils, who finished the day with four errors, helping Aquinas manufacture runs despite recording just six hits overall.
Aquinas tacked on its final run in the sixth inning. Weinert, who reached base three times on the day and stole two bases, came around to score on a groundout back to the pitcher off the bat of Hysell, stretching the margin to 6-0. Aquinas combined its opportunistic offense with aggressive baserunning, swiping three bags and drawing four walks to keep steady pressure on Lawrence Tech.
Offensively, Lawrence Tech matched Aquinas with six hits but was unable to convert its chances, stranding six runners on base. The Blue Devils did manage to reach Pollack for two walks and a hit-by-pitch, but Aquinas’ right-hander repeatedly worked out of traffic to preserve the shutout. Lawrence Tech’s pitchers limited Aquinas to six hits and four strikeouts, but the extra opportunities created by errors and free passes were enough to tip the balance.
Pollack was the difference on the mound, going the distance for Aquinas. He tossed 7.0 scoreless innings, scattering six hits, walking two and striking out five to earn the complete-game win. Shadduck led the Aquinas offense with three RBIs, while Weinert scored twice and added a hit, a walk and two stolen bases to spark the visitors at the top of the lineup.
Despite the setback, the Blue Devils generated consistent contact and will look to build on their offensive opportunities while tightening up defensively as they continue their early-season slate. Lawrence Tech is scheduled to return to action soon in search of a bounce-back performance and its next opportunity to convert hits into runs.
