Purdue Fort Wayne
MICHIGAN
Wolverines Score Two in Eighth to Top IPFW, 4-2
3/26/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 26, 2008
Ann Arbor, MI - For the third time this season, the IPFW baseball team battled a Big Ten opponent to the wire. Wednesday evening in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the Michigan Wolverines had to rally with two in the bottom of the 8th inning to get past the Mastodons, 4-2.
After dropping 3-2 and 4-2 games at Indiana, IPFW found themselves in another Big Ten struggle with the talented Wolverines.
The 'Dons opened the scoring in the game in the second inning. Left fielder Aaron Kerns reached base to lead off the inning on an infield error. Freshman right fielder Garrett Segraves bunted him to second, and he would eventually come home on a safety squeeze from sophomore second baseman Scott Micinski.
Michigan tied it in their half of the 2nd inning. Left fielder Derek VanBuskirk singled and advanced to third on a double from the bat of right fielder Alan Oaks.
He would eventually come home on a sacrifice fly from catcher Chris Berset.
IPFW took a 2-1 lead in the fourth. Junior designated hitter Quentin Brown walked. Shortstop Mark Carden singled to center field putting runners at the corners. Junior catcher Devin Taylor chased Brown home with an RBI single down the left field line.
But, just as they did in the second, Michigan came right back in their half of the 4th inning to tie it.
Oaks drilled his second double of the game and came home on an RBI single from center fielder Ryan LaMarre.
The game remained tied at two until the bottom of the 8th inning. Michigan third baseman Adam Abraham singled and stole second to put himself in scoring position. VanBuskirk drove him in with a single to left.
Berset would also single in the inning driving in VanBuskirk, making it 4-2 Wolverines going into the top of the ninth.
IPFW centerfielder Jared Davis stroked a one-out double to right center, but the 'Dons could do no further damage against Michigan closer Tyler Burgoon and fell, 4-2.
Kolby Wood was one of eight UM pitchers in the game. He got the win tossing a complete inning, striking out two.
IPFW freshman reliever Samuel Walker took the loss. He tossed three very efffective innings, but did give up the two runs on five hits.
IPFW starter Ryan VanDriessche went five complete. He gave up two runs on six hits. He struck out three Wolverines while walking just two.
Taylor was 3-5 in the game for the Mastodons, with an RBI.
With the win, Michigan improves to 10-6. The 'Dons fall to 2-15-1 with the loss.
IPFW is scheduled to play their first home game of the 2008 season tomorrow vs. Goshen College. Log on to www.gomastodons.com for the latest schedule information.
~Dons~
