Phoenix, Ariz. - March 14, 2011 - John Schmaltz produced six hits and knocked in three runs to lead the Springfield College baseball team to a 7-5 win over Wisconsin-La Crosse on Monday afternoon in the RussMatt Greater Phoenix Invitational.Springfield now improves to 3-0 on the young season. The Pride used an offense that racked up 18 hits to earn the win.
On the mound, Greg Marakovits got a win in his first action in Maroon and White. The junior transfer threw five innings, allowing four earned runs on eight hits, while striking out three and not surrendering a walk. Adam DeFelice then pitched the final four innings to pick up the save. DeFelice scattered four hits and allowed one earned run.
Schmaltz's six hits led the Pride attack as he knocked in three RBI, scored two runs, and laced a double, while Karl Quist accounted for two RBI and roped a triple.
The teams were knotted at three after two innings of play, but Springfield plated three runs in the fourth to take control of the game. After UW-La Crosse put up single runs in the fourth and sixth to get within one, Springfield tacked on an insurance run in the seventh and held on for victory.
Former Springfield College standout Mark Simeone will enter his 17th season as the head baseball coach at his alma mater in 2013 . The reigning NEWMAC Coach of the year is coming off a successful 2012 campaign in which the Pride went 20-15. Read more.