HOBOKEN, NJ (March 18, 2023) – The Stevens Institute of Technology baseball team hit a five-run homestand Saturday against King’s College in a MAC Freedom doubleheader at Dobbelaar Field.
Junior Christian Kreiser homered and had four RBI and first year Dylan Fishbow hit his first career long ball as the Ducks beat the Monarchs 15-0 in the opener. Sophomore Viktor Shilechi and junior Jack Irby each went deep in game two as the Ducks completed the sweep with an 11-2 win. The wins moved the Ducks to 11-5 on the year and 3-2 in conference play. Stevens has won five in a row and won all eight historic meetings with the Monarchs.
Justin Richards hit a two-run blast to account for the only runs of the day for King’s, who fell to 6-7 on the year and 1-4 in league play. The Monarchs have lost their last five games.
The Ducks wasted little time going up against Matt Martin (1-1). Senior Ben Tobio reached on an error by shortstop Nick Chisak and Schileci doubled to right-center. Two batters later, Kreuzer lined a 2-1 pitch to left field to score both runners. The Ducks right fielder came up to score. Chase Jochem misplayed Irby’s single. Martin lasted just three innings and allowed seven runs.
Nine batters appeared at the plate in the third as the Ducks tacked on four runs. Kreiser delivered the big blow of the inning, blasting a two-run shot to center for his team-leading fourth homer. Sophomore Colby Ching had a single and scored from second on a classmate Evan Pravato’s a blow to the inside when the King’s defense was late to cover the home goal. Pravato later stole second and third but was stranded when Tobio struck out two batters later. Speed was certainly a key ingredient in the Ducks’ offensive effort, as they stole four bases in game one and added six more in game two.
King’s made a pitching change early in the fourth, but it did little to slow the home team’s surging attack. In one long inning, the Ducks sent 13 batters to the plate and scored an impressive seven runs on six hits. The seven-run outburst was the Ducks’ fourth inning of at least seven runs this season. The first seven hits came with Irby and Ching hitting two-run hits. King reliever Aidan Mahal faced seven batters in the frame but did not record an out.
While the Ducks were on fire at the plate, the senior right fielder Justin Doyle (4-2) was just as hot on the mound. The Louisville, Ky., native mowed down the Monarchs in order for the first time in the lineup and finished the two-hitter with a career-high nine strikeouts for his first collegiate shutout.
The Ducks followed the same script in the finale, outscoring King starter Adin Khoderewski (1-1) for three runs in the first. With one out, Schileci drew a four-pitch walk for the Ducks’ first baserunner of the game. Senior Michael Reyes was struck by tar. After a fielder’s choice wiped Reyes off the base paths, Kreizer stole second on a groundout that also allowed Schileci to score from third. Irby and Sr Chris Davis followed by multi-run singles to extend the lead to three.
Pravato added to the Ducks’ lead in the second with a leadoff homer for his first collegiate long ball. Fishbow followed with a single and, after two steals, turned around to score on Schileci’s no-doubt homer to right. Hoderewski allowed all 11 runs, including three homers.
Sophomore Jordan Pusey struck out our four for two scoreless frames. Senior Ryan Shea (2-1) earned the win with two hitless innings. Sophomore Will Stavisky finished the match with a scoreless seventh.
Next up: Originally scheduled for Sunday afternoon, the teams will instead conclude their three-game series Monday afternoon in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Game one is set for 3:30 p.m., and live stats and video links are posted on StevensDucks.com.
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