DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque baseball team scored three unearned runs in 9-3 game one defeat to Buena Vista. 

For the third straight game, the Spartans (6-9, 1-2 Iowa Conference) took an early 2-0 lead through two innings. UD plated two unearned runs in the bottom of the second aided by a fielding error that allowed 3B Gaetano Florio to get on base. A subsequent Beaver throw that tried to stop the advancing Spartan runners ended up in the UD dugout. By rule, it gave the Spartans a pair of free bases, resulting in a pair of runs.

An error and two-RBI double fueled a three-run counter attack by the Beavers (12-2, 2-1 Iowa Conference) in the top of the third to give Buena Vista the 3-2 lead. A four-run follow up in the fifth inning, aided by four singles and a double, put the game out of reach as BVU jumped out to 7-3 lead after five innings. The Beavers scored two insurance runs in the top of the seventh after one hit and one Spartan fielding error.

It was tough sledding throughout the game as Beaver starter Jake Bjorkgren (3-0) limited the Spartan bats to four hits and three unearned runs while striking out five.

UD catcher Will Doherty earned the only RBI via a squeeze bunt in the fourth and was one of four Spartans to record a hit. Doherty also scored one run as well.

Spartan starter Reed Stumpf (0-1) pitched a scoreless first two innings, but gave up seven runs (six earned) in the next three to record his first decision of the year. Stumpf also surrendered eight hits and struck out two in 5.0 innings on the mound. UD reliever Tyler Trifiletti gave up two unearned runs in the seventh, but allowed just one hit while striking out four in 2.0 innings of relief.

It was a messy affair in the field as both teams combined for six errors, four for Buena Vista and two for UD. All three Spartan runs were unearned.