The Lakeland College baseball team suffered its first loss of 2012, falling to Knox College 7-3.
The Muskies (4-1) got on the board early, but couldn't add to their lead. Poor base running decisions ultimately cost Lakeland the game.
Freshman right-hander Trent Schwalbach (Escanaba, Mich.) made his college debut, pitching 4 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on six hits, striking out four and walking three. The freshman kept the team in the game and was able to make some big pitches when he needed to.
Sophomore Matt Weller (Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.) was first out of the bullpen, pitching 2 1/3 innings allowing three runs on four hits. He struck out two batters and walked one. Sophomore Ryan Krzyzkowski (Franklin, Wis.) pitched a scoreless eighth inning, allowing just one base runner.
Lakeland staked Schwalbach to an early lead, scoring three runs in the first inning. Things were going well for Lakeland as Nate Soley (River Falls, Wis.) singled and later scored on a wild pitch. Matt Krueger (Medford, Wis.) came through with the big hit, a two RBI, bases loaded single. The Muskies wouldn't score again, however, that doesn't mean the chances weren't there.
In the second inning, Charlie Sparrow (Milwaukee, Wis.) led off with a single, but was thrown out attempting to steal second. After reaching on an error, Soley was thrown about attempting to steal third. Then Mike Ruzek (Manitowoc, Wis.) was thrown out trying to stretch a single, killing a rally.
The Muskies would load the bases again in the third, but couldn't get the big hit they needed. In the fifth, a miscue on the bases ended another bases loaded rally. All in all, the Lakeland bats were active, just poor execution and the lack of a big hit doomed the Muskies.
Krueger continued to hit well, going 4-for-5 with two RBI's. Soley was 3-for-5 with a run scored, while three other Muskies had multi-hit games.
Lakeland will look to get back on track on Thursday, March 15, as the Muskies face Defiance College in a nine inning game. First pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m. EST on field two of the Player Development Complex.
Lakeland will alh so lay a junior varsity contest at 1 p.m. on field three against Thiel College.