Box Score In their sixth varsity contest in the first four days of the Spring Break trip, Grinnell College bested Benedictine University (IL) by a final score of 6-3.  The win is owed in large part to a huge four-run 8^th inning that gave the Pioneers (6-2) the final margin of victory. 
 
The Pioneer offense was a model of consistency and efficiency.  They put runners on base in eight of the nine offensive innings and by only stranding five runners total, the offense proved to be dynamic in the ability to move and score runners.  All but one Grinnell hitter in the lineup reached base.  Sam Galanek '18 had three hits while Andrew Shults '19, and Niko Takayesu '17 each had two. 
 
Charles Carr '19 made his first career start and pitched a solid 5 1/3 innings of two-run baseball.  He only struck out three but allowed a meager three hits, forcing soft contact for the majority of the balls put in play by the Eagles. 
 
After Carr, came the bullpen.  Shane Comiskey '18, Ben Binversie '17 helped stall the Benedictine (4-4) offense long enough for the four-run explosion in the 8^th inning.  Sam Lopez '18 and Matt Godinsky '16 then closed the door after being staked to the 6-3 lead.  Godinsky earned his second save in as many days.  Binversie stole the win, his first of the year.     
 
Head Coach Tim Hollibaugh on the team's first four days in Florida and posting a 5-1 record in those games.  "We have been fortunate to get a lot of baseball in early on the trip.  The success has given us reasons to be excited but we also know we have plenty to continue to focus on, which will only help us improve." 
 
Hollibaugh on expectations for the final four games of the trip, "The goal is to improve on the little things offensively, make some adjustments on defense and continue to focus our pitching staff on going after hitters knowing full well some of the quality offenses we will see."
 
After a day off on Thursday, the Pioneers play Fontbonne University on Friday at 2:30 EST.