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Purdue Fort Wayne
Valparaiso
Diem's 7 RBI Help 'Dons Break Out of Slump
3/7/2007 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 7, 2007
Bradenton, FL - One day after getting roughed up by Valparaiso 15-3, IPFW returned the favor, pounding out 17 hits, in a 15-3 win over the Crusaders this afternoon at the IMG Academies in Florida.
The win, which snapped a three-game losing streak, was just the shot in the arm the ailing 'Dons needed.
Senior right fielder Nick Diem led the offensive attack, going 4 for 6 with 7 RBI. Two of Diem's three extra base hits were triples.
Speaking of a shot in the arm, junior starter Cole Uebelhor gave the 'Dons overworked pitching staff a breather by tossing a complete game. Uebelhor got his first win of the year (1-2) giving up eight hits and three runs while striking out six and walking just two.
The Mastodons (2-10) got to Valpo starter Ranko Ivetic with a single run in the fourth and chased him from the game with four in the fifth.
Six 'Dons had multiple hit games, led by Diem's outburst.
IPFW freshman second baseman Mark Carden, who leads the Mastodons in batting average at .455, was 3 for 5 and scored three times.
Senior catcher Tony Nichting was 2-4 with 4 RBI and two runs scored.
Junior center fielder Jared Davis had a pair of hits, including his seventh double of the season, 3 RBI and scored three times.
Senior shortstop Chris Venvertloh had a pair of base knocks and an RBI, and junior designated hitter Aaron Kerns also had a pair of singles and scored twice.
Fifteen runs is the 'Dons highest offensive output since beating Grace College 19-0 back on April 28, 2006.
IPFW will continue its spring trip schedule with a pair of games tomorrow. The Mastodons will face Georgetown at 10:30am, followed by a contest with Akron at 3:00pm.
~Dons~
