Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 AUBURNDALE, FL--The Union College baseball team's offense erupted for 18 runs in it season-opening game against Fontbonne, Sunday at the RussMatt Invitational. The Dutchmen notched an 18-2 win in their first game before falling to the University of Chicago, 4-2, in their second game of the day.

In game one, Jake Vesling allowed two runs on five hits with two strikeouts and five walks over seven innings to earn the win. Sean Cullen led the offense, going 3-for-5 with four RBI. Joe Ganim was 3-for-4 with two RBI, Matt Catalfo was 2-for-5 with two RBI and Harrison Glatt was 2-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored. The Dutchmen finished with 18 hits.

The Griffins took a 1-0 lead after the first, but Union exploded for six runs in the third. The Dutchmen added four runs in the fifth on RBI singles by Kent Curran and Glatt and a two-run single by Zack Twitchell. Union tacked on eight runs in the final frame, including a Cullen grand slam. 

In the second game, Chicago took advantage of three unearned runs in the third to earn the 4-2 win.

Ryan Kuchar went six innings on the mound, allowing four runs (one earned) on five hits with two strikeouts and two walks. Catalfo went 3-for-4 at the plate with two bases and Zack Twitchell was 2-for-4. 

The Dutchmen chipped away at a 3-0 deficit in the 7th when a double steal allowed Twitchell to score. The Maroons extended their lead to 4-2 in the eighth, but Ganim drove in Andy Labeck in the bottom half of the frame to bring Union back within two.

Chicago managed to keep the Dutchmen off the board in the ninth to hang on for the 4-2 win.

Union resumes its spring trip on Monday, taking on Elmhurst at 3 p.m.