Matt Loomis Throws No-Hitter in Twin-Bill Split with Aquinas
KENTWOOD, Mich. - Matt Loomis (Alma, Mich.) pitched a nine inning complete game no-hitter in a 5-0 Panther victory over visiting Aquinas on Friday night in the second game of a doubleheader. The Saints won the first game 6-1. Davenport, now 25-16, plays Aquinas in another doubleheader matchup tomorrow starting at 1:00 p.m. at East Kentwood HS.
In Loomis' outstanding performance, the junior only allowed three baserunners to reach first base (1 walk, 1 error and 1 HBP). Loomis struck out nine Aquinas batters, including the final three Saints in the ninth inning.
“He was in complete control on the mound throughout the game,” DU head coach Wes Cummings said. “This was a special day. It was a must win game, and it was great to see Matt step up and perform like that in a pressure situation.”
Loomis got all the offense he needed in the first inning when Brandon Bongard (Grand Rapids, Mich.) crossed reached home for the Panthers' first run.
The Panthers added three more runs in the fourth inning to increase their lead to 4-0. With runners on the corners, a Drew Kennedy (Mt. Pleasant, Mich.) sac fly brought in Bongard from third base. Back-to-back wild pitches from the Saints allowed two more runs to score for the Panthers in the inning.
DU added their final run in the sixth inning for the final 5-0 score. The Panthers offense finished with 12 hits in the nightcap.
The Panthers dropped game one of the doubleheader 6-1 against the visiting Saints.
Rob Bolster (Blissfield, Mich.) put the only Panther run on the board when he hit a booming home run to right center in the third inning. The home run game DU an early 1-0 advantage.
The Saints, however, scored the next six runs. Aquinas scored two runs in each of the fifth, sixth and seventh innings in the seven inning contest. The Saints took the lead on a two-run home run in the fifth. With runners on second and third, a double down the right field line brought home two more Saints' runs. Aquinas added two more in the seventh.
Tucker Gernhard (Stafford, Va.) started for the Panthers in game one, going five innings while allowing 10 hits.
The Panthers and Saints square off again tomorrow in a crucial doubleheader for both teams at East Kentwood HS. The first game is scheduled for 1 p.m.
