HBU Bounces Back to Split With New York Tech

Sophomore third baseman Robbie Buller collects six hits on the day.

Robbie Buller had six hits in Saturday's doubleheader.

OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. – Houston Baptist junior lefthander Jamie Storey went the distance as the Huskies bounced back from a 9-3 loss in the first game to cruise past New York Tech, 9-4, in the second game of a Great West Conference doubleheader Saturday afternoon at President’s Field.

In the second game, sophomore third baseman Robbie Buller went 4-for-5, and sophomore rightfielder Kolby Arnst went 2-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored for HBU (15-17, 5-2 GWC). Senior shortstop Zeke Zikeli went 2-for-4, freshman leftfielder Blake Doerr homered for the second-straight day and senior second baseman Derek Smith drove in a pair. After recording a bunt single in the first game, junior centerfielder Paul Prestera went 2-for-6 with a double to extend his hitting streak to 19 games.

Effrey Valdez went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and two runs scored to lead New York Tech (13-14, 5-2).

Storey (3-4), allowed three earned runs on nine hits, striking out two and walking none. Louie Bernardi (0-1) took the loss for the Bears, giving up eight runs on eight hits in 3 1/3 innings, while Matt McDevitt held the Huskies to one unearned run over the final 5 2/3.

In the opener, New York Tech’s Dan Lackner hit a three run homer in the second inning, followed by another in the third as the Bears downed the Huskies. Valdez added a solo shot in the sixth.

HBU senior catcher Johnathon Moore, Zikeli, Buller, Doerr and Smith each had two hits, but none of the Huskies’ 12 hits were for extra bases.

Andrew Guarassi (3-3) picked up the win for the Bears, allowing three runs on 11 hits in six innings. Junior Michael Schulle (5-4) took the loss for the Huskies, giving up seven runs, five earned, on three hits and walking three in 2 2/3 innings. 

The series concludes with Sunday’s first pitch scheduled for noon.