THE RUNDOWN
On the road in a decisive rubber match, the No. 17 DBU Patriots (11-4) delivered a statement win, playing a complete game to secure the series victory over Louisiana (7-9) in Lafayette. Fueled by an explosive offense that launched three home runs and plated eight runs, DBU's Sunday starter, Rian Schwede, set the tone with a signature performance on the mound.
 
A spark quickly turned into a flame for the Patriot offense in the top of the first. Nathan Humphreys slashed a leadoff single through the right side, and the two-hole hitter, Grant Jay, plunked a double down the third-base line to drive in Humphreys. Two batters later, Tom Poole delivered the first big swing of the afternoon, launching a towering fly ball that cleared the right-field fence for a two-run blast and a 3-0 lead. The Patriots went on to load the bases, but no more runners came across in the opening inning.
 
After sending all nine batters to the dish in the first, DBU's offense picked up where it left off in the second. Leading off once again, Humphreys turned on a pitch and sent a screaming liner over the right-field fence for his first homer since Opening Day, pushing the Patriots' edge to 4-0.
 
On the mound, Rian Schwede was in control early, carving through Louisiana's lineup while facing just 10 batters through the first three innings. However, the Ragin' Cajuns showed signs of life in the fourth. Brooks Wright and Caleb Stelly started the frame with back-to-back singles to put runners on first and second with no outs, but Schwede found a groove. He needed just four pitches to retire the next three hitters. Each flew out to center, allowing Wright to tag from second to third, then third to home for Louisiana's first run.
 
The DBU offense reignited in the fifth. With Chayton Krauss on first and Jay on second, Poole came through again, ripping a double to left-center field gap to score both runners. Michael Dattalo followed with an RBI single to widen the gap to six runs. Dattalo took second base on a wild pitch and attempted to score on a single off the wall by Luke Heefner, but Dattalo was tagged out on the relay from right field. Still, the Patriots took a commanding 7-1 advantage into the game's halfway point.
 
Joey Nerat made sure the power surge was not finished, leading off the seventh with a bang. The junior turned on a pitch and sent a majestic shot soaring over the right-field fence for DBU's third long ball to that part of the yard.
 
As much dominant as DBU's offense was, Schwede was even sharper. The graduate transfer threw seven innings for his second straight outing. He struck out four, did not issue a walk, and allowed just one run in a masterful performance against the Ragin' Cajuns.
 
The bullpens took over late, with Louisiana's relievers keeping the Patriots off the board in the eighth and ninth. On the other side, DBU's trio of Tyler Schott, Avery Duncan, and Dillon Haines totaled three strikeouts, one walk, and one run allowed in the final two frames, sealing an important non-conference series win for DBU.
 
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
- The Patriots have won all four of their weekend series this season. They are 10-2 in those games.
- In his four starts this season, Rian Schwede has not allowed more than two runs. Including his performance on Sunday, he has allowed only one run in three of his four outings.
- Nathan Humphreys and Tom Poole both recorded three hits, both needing just a triple to complete the cycle.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
4 - Tom Poole drove in a season-high four runs. 
6 - Patriot batters registered six extra-base hits, their most in a game since notching seven on Opening Day against North Dakota State.
13.4 - Rian Schwede worked efficiently in his fourth start, averaging only 13.4 pitches per inning.
 
UP NEXT
DBU begins a season-long eight-game homestand on Tuesday against No. 14 Oklahoma State. First pitch between the Patriots and the Cowboys is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. at Horner Ballpark. Read Full Article