GRINNELL, Iowa – Grinnell College's baseball team responded to a rough first game with Knox College to earn a split Saturday, and in the process the Pioneers crowned a new walks king.
After getting thumped in the opener at Pioneer Park 12-3, Grinnell salvaged a split with an 8-6 win.
Additionally,
Niko Takayesu '17 added to his already stellar career by becoming Grinnell's all-time leader in walks with 80.
In the second game,
Sam Galanek '18 swung a big bat with a homer and double, while Takayesu,
Andrew Shults '19 and
Brad Weaver '18 all singled twice.
The Pioneers took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first on Weaver's two-run single to center. Grinnell added another run in the third via a passed ball, and scored twice more in the fifth on an error and
Matt Hammond's '17 sacrifice fly to center.
However, Knox roared back with four runs in the sixth and two more in the seventh for a 6-5 lead. The Pioneers retook the lead in the bottom of the seventh when Galanek belted a two-run homer to left, and added an insurance run in the eighth on Shults' sacrifice fly to left.
After two lightning delays to start the ninth, the Pioneers finished off the win.
Jacob Morsch '20, the second of three pitchers, earned the win and
Ben Binversie '17 tossed hitless ball over the last two innings and fanned two to earn his third save.
Binversie's save total is fifth-best in a season for Grinnell, while Shults moved into seventh on the season stolen base list with 16.
In the opener, Knox broke open a 2-all tie with six runs in the sixth inning en route to victory. Ravi Leven '19 had three hits for Grinnell, Takayesu had a double and single and
Carson Gampell '20 and
Benjamin Wong '18 both singled twice.
Ben Spencer '20 had an RBI single to right-center in the fourth inning for Grinnell and Levens a run-scoring single up the middle. The Pioneers' other run was in the seventh on Hammond's sacrifice fly to center.
Michael Slattery '18, the second of four pitchers for Grinnell, absorbed the loss.
Grinnell is now 9-3 in the Midwest Conference and 15-10 overall, while Knox moved to 3-5 in the league and 9-10 in all games.
The Pioneers play Beloit College at 7 p.m. Friday in Mauston, Wis.
