NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont (18-26, 7-9 MVC) and Valparaiso (6-28, 3-13 MVC) kicked off their weekend series Friday evening at E.S. Rose Park. The Bruins showed up ready to go from the first pitch. Starting pitcher
Joe Ruzicka went the distance and recorded his first career complete game shutout, as Belmont run ruled the Beacons, 10-8 in eight innings.
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Scoring Action
- Belmont capitalized on a pair of errors in the first inning. Charlie Davis reached on a throwing error by shortstop Case Sullivan. Following a fielder's choice, Mike Sprockett smoked a single off the foot of pitcher Connor Lockwood that went to shallow left-center field. Landon Godsey – running from first base – scored on an errant throw from Sullivan. Belmont took an early 1-0 lead.
- Pete Daniel hit a one-out solo home run to dead center. Daniel's fourth home run of the season made it a 2-0 Belmont lead after the third inning.
- Belmont scored four runs in the sixth inning. Belmont laid down a pair of bunts to move runners to first and second with one out. Following a foul out, Michael Lareau hit a slow roller to second baseman Aidan Thaxton and went under his glove. The Bruins scored their third run of the game. Belmont made Valparaiso pay for that two-out error, as Jake Maddox launched a three-run bomb to left center. Belmont's lead grew, 6-0.
- The Bruins went up 7-0 in the seventh inning on an RBI single from Mike Sprockett.
- Belmont scored three runs in the eighth inning. Daniel hit an RBI single through the left side. Davis scored on a wild pitch with the bases loaded. Belmont walked off the Beacons on Mike Sprockett's RBI single to center field. The Bruins picked up a win in the series opener, 10-0.Â
Bruin Bullets
- Joe Ruzicka improved to 4-2 after his first career complete game shutout. The junior righthander struck out seven batters, allowed only one hit and worked through eight innings on 83 pitches. Ruzicka's eight innings tied his career high set on March 3, 2024, against Little Rock. He has thrown seven innings in his last four starts and struck out at least five batters in five consecutive games. Ruzicka owns a 3.36 ERA in 59 innings, with a team-high 55 strikeouts.
- Pete Daniel went 3-for-5 with two RBIs. Daniel hit his fourth home run of the season in the third inning.
- Landon Godsey had two hits and a double.
- Mike Sprockett went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and hit the walk-off single.
- Ty Allen went 2-for-4.
- Jake Maddox had two hits and hit a three-run home run.
Media Hub
Belmont and Valparaiso continue their weekend series tomorrow afternoon. First pitch from E.S. Rose Park is set for 2 p.m. CT. Fans can watch the game on ESPN+ or listen to Belmont Bruins Radio with Rich Tiner.
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