UChicago Defeats NYU 8-1 in Series Opener
The University of Chicago baseball team defeated New York University on Friday afternoon, earning an 8-1 win in the first game of the conference series. The Maroons scored four runs in the opening inning to set the tone of the game.
After the Violets got on the scoreboard first, the Maroons quickly responded. With a 1-2 count,
Erik Rindner slammed a two-run homer to left field to put UChicago in front. Shortly after, Harrison Belden hit an RBI single to bring home Michael Gladden and later ran home for another Maroons score off an error by the Violets. After the first inning, UChicago led 4-1.
Pitcher John Butka held control for the Maroons' defense as he faced a total of 13 batters through the next four innings. In those four, he gave up a single hit and struck out two.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Maroons added an insurance run as Nathan Bae ripped a double to left center field to bring home Gladden and put UChicago up by four runs.
Butka remained in control, striking out three of the next seven batters he faced.
For the second home run of the day, Harrison Belden smashed a hit towards right-center field to earn his sixth home run of the season. With the slam, he also brought in Ryan Bhojwani to make it an 8-1 ball game.
The Maroons finished the day with nine hits, eight runs, and seven RBIs. Rindner led the offense with a 3-for-4 day and three RBIs. Belden finished with two hits and three RBIs as Braden Jirovec and Gladden each earned a single hit.
Butka earned his sixth win of the season. In eight innings pitched and 29 batters faced, the senior only allowed five hits, one run, and struck out six.
The Maroons now hold a 1.5-game lead over WashU in conference standings.