Baseball | 3/27/2010 6:30:05 PM

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 [Game 1 box score] [Game 2 box score]

MONMOUTH, Ore. - Blake Keitzman threw the first no-hitter in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference in over six seasons and the first ever in league play to help Western Oregon complete the doubleheader sweep of Saint Martin's. The Wolves won game one in a slugfest 12-11 and game two 1-0 behind the pitching gem from Keitzman.

The wins moved WOU (12-11) over .500 for the first time this season and it grabbed sole possession of first place in the GNAC with a 7-3 record, one game in front of Northwest Nazarene. The losses dropped the Saints (10-15) two games off the pace in the conference standings with a 5-5 record.

Game 1
Logan Lotti singled home Jason Moseby in the bottom of the 10th to break an 11-11 tie and lift WOU over Saint Martin's 12-11.

Cleanup hitter Kyle Boe had four RBI on 2-for-4 hitting, including a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth for the Wolves. Daniel Dillard homered twice and drove in three runs, while Garrett Breda recorded three doubles and two runs batted in. Cesar Lopez had four singles in four at-bats. Boe and Dillard also both scored three runs, and Breda crossed the plate three times.

Lotti's game-winning hit ended the Saints' comeback bid, as they had rallied from a 9-0 after five innings.

Michael Ward went the first seven innings for WOU, allowing four runs (two earned) and 11 hits while striking out six. He then gave way to the bullpen which surrendered seven runs over the eighth and ninth innings. SMU tied the game at 11-11 with a three run ninth to send the game to extra innings.

In the extra frame, SMU put two runners on but could not push across a run. In the Wolves' half of the inning, Moseby singled with one out and then stole second base to get into scoring position. He would move up to third on a groundout to shortstop, bringing Lotti to the plate with a chance to win the game. Lotti singled sharply through the left side of the infield for his first hit of the game to score Moseby from third.

Jesse Nunley picked up his first win of the season in relief after getting the final four outs of the game for WOU.

"Ward once again kept us in (the game)," said WOU head coach Jeremiah Robbins, "and our hitters picked up our pitchers this time."

Saint Martin's outhit Western Oregon 19-16, and also left 14 men on-base compared to nine for WOU.

The top four hitters in the Saint's order combined for 11 of their 19 hits. Andrew Elke, Aaron Johnson, Travis Jones and Andy Cole all had three hits apiece for SMU.

Game 2
Blake Keitzman faced just one batter over the minimum and did not allow a hit or surrender a walk over seven innings while striking six to lead the Wolves to a 1-0 win.

This was the first no-hitter by any pitcher in the GNAC since Luke Holscher tossed WOU to a 3-0 win over Mesa State on Feb. 14, 2004.

The only batter to reach base in the game for the Saints was leadoff hitter Andrew Elke, who was hit by a pitch in his first two times at-bat. After catching Elke stealing to end the third inning, Keitzman set down the final 12 SMU batters in order.

"It was a phenomenal job by Blake Keitzman," explained coach Robbins. "He commanded his pitches, kept his presence on the mound and took control. If you have a bigger lead than one it is much different than being up just 1-0.

"This was a very impressive performance by Keitzman against a very good team," continued Robbins, "At any level in college when you throw a no-hitter is a feat in itself. I am proud of his efforts and the team for picking him up."

Kyle Boe provided the only run of the game for WOU with a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Garrett Breda reached base in all three of his plate appearance going 2-for-2 with a walk and a double.

Michael McIver went the distance for the Saints giving up seven hits and just the solo home run to Boe.

"We stayed focus and were able to win two hard fought games," Robbins noted, "but our work is only half done."

Next games
Western Oregon and Saint Martin's will complete their doubleheader Sunday (Mar. 28). First pitch is scheduled for noon.