Purdue Fort Wayne
Eastern Kentucky
'Dons Drop Game 2 of Roadhouse Leadoff Tournament
2/27/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 27, 2009
Richmond, KY - Host Eastern Kentucky roared back with a six-run sixth inning to top IPFW, 15-8 in game two of the Logan's Roadhouse Leadoff Tournament at Turkey Hughes Field on Friday.
After the emotional high of their game one victory over Buffalo, the Mastodon bats picked right up where they left off in game two. In the 1st inning, senior shortstop Chris Gottschall plated a pair with an RBI double down the left field line. Junior first baseman Shaun VanDriessche chased Gottschall home with an RBI double of his own. Senior catcher Devin Taylor finished off the inning with an RBI fielder's choice giving IPFW a 4-0 lead.
Eastern Kentucky cut the Mastodon lead in half in the bottom of the first on a two-run single from catcher Joey Stevens.
IPFW got those two back in the top of the second as Gottschall and VanDriessche each plated a run with their second RBI doubles of the game.
The Colonels tied the game up in their half of the second with four runs, two more coming from the bat of Stevens, and broke it wide open with a six-run third.
Trailing 12-6, VanDriessche led off the 5th inning with a moon-shot out of right center, cutting the EKU lead to 12-7.
Sophomore third baseman Jayson Langfels drove in his fourth run of the game in the bottom of the fifth, reestablishing the Colonels six-run lead.
IPFW got a single run in the seventh on a Taylor RBI single, but EKU pushed two more across in the eighth for their first win of the season (1-2).
Sophomore reliever Macon Smith picked up the win for the Colonels. He tossed an inning and a third of one-hit ball.
IPFW sophomore Chad Nielsen was tagged with the loss for the 'Dons. Junior reliever Matt Antos came on after the EKU outburst in the third and worked a solid 4.1 innings. He gave up just one run on two hits. He struck out three and walked none.
Gottschall, VanDriessche, and Carden each had three-hit games for the Mastodons who fell to 1-1 with the loss.
Weather permitting, IPFW will face Buffalo on Day 2 of the Leadoff Tournament. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m.
~Dons~
