Purdue Fort Wayne
Butler
Mastodons Late Rally Falls Short
5/9/2007 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 9, 2007
Fort Wayne, IN - IPFW staked Butler to a 7-0 lead before threatening in the late innings, but it wasn't enough, as the 'Dons fell to the Bulldogs 7-3 on Wednesday at Mastodons Field.
It was senior day at the 'Don, as IPFW said goodbye to Nick Diem, Tony Nichting, and Chris Venvertloh.
Butler opened the scoring in the 1st inning, getting an unearned run off of an RBI single from center fielder Dustin Bucalo.
The Bulldogs (19-26) got two more in the second on RBI singles by shortstop Joe Pauley and Bucalo.
Leading 4-0 in the 6th inning, Bucalo got his third and fourth RBI of the game on a two-run homer to right field. The blast was only the second of the season for the 'Dogs center fielder.
Butler added a run in the top of the eighth, but that's when IPFW began to come to life.
In the bottom of the frame, Nichting got on board after getting plunked by Butler reliever Evan DePotter. Freshman second baseman Mark Carden followed with a single to right.
Junior center fielder Jared Davis stepped up and launched a three-run shot over the fence in left field to draw IPFW to within four at 7-3.
In the ninth, the 'Dons threatened again. Lead-off hitter, shortstop, Ryan Beer singled to right. Pinch hitter Scott Micinski took one for the team, getting hit by a pitch, giving IPFW runners at first and second with no outs.
However, the Mastodons couldn't catch a break. With one out, Nichting ripped a laser back through the box. Butler closer Brain Deter got his pitching hand on it, deflected it to short, and Pauley threw on to third to get the force play.
Carden grounded out to second to end the threat and the ball game.
Butler used nine pitchers in the game, and starter Jon Dages was credited with the win, his fifth of the year (5-5).
IPFW starter Cole Uebelhor was tagged with the loss, going 1-1/3 innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits.
Davis was 3 for 4 with three RBI for IPFW (9-32).
The Mastodons will look to snap their current six-game losing skid as they travel to South Dakota State, this weekend, for a four-game series with the Jackrabbits.
~Dons~
