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Purdue Fort Wayne
Evansville
Miscues Costly in 2-1 Loss to Evansville
3/13/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 13, 2009
Evansville, IN - Three IPFW errors led to two Evansville unearned runs in a 2-1 loss to the Purple Aces in the opening game of the 2009 Dunn Hospitality Diamond Classic Friday at Braun Stadium.
IPFW starter Samuel Walker and Purple Aces hurler John Foley didn't allow a runner to cross the plate until Evansville cracked the scoring column in the bottom of the 7th inning.
A hit batsman and two errors allowed the Purple Aces to take a 1-0 lead.
IPFW would tie the game in the top of the eighth. Second baseman Jordan Kohler led off the inning with a walk. He advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by left fielder Quentin Brown. Designated hitter Mason Rovenstine's fly ball to center field was deep enough to allow Kohler to tag and move to third. He would eventually score on an RBI single to right by right fielder J.J. Short.
Unfortunately for the Mastodons, their defense let them down again in the bottom of the 8th inning. Reliever Andrew Emge allowed a lead off walk to 'Aces shortstop Andy Smith. First baseman Andy Pascoe's sacrifice bunt was misplayed giving Evansville runners on first and second with no out. An infield ground out advanced Smith and Pascoe 90-feet.
IPFW rolled the dice and intentionally walked designated hitter Greg Wallace to set up the force.
Right fielder Nate Smith worked the count to 2-2 and then laced an Emge slider into center field to give Evansville a 2-1 lead. IPFW reliever A.J. Risedorph came on to strike out the next two 'Aces to get out of the inning, but the damage was done.
Junior reliever Tom Heithoff, who came on to put out the IPFW rally in the eighth, set the 'Dons down in order in the 9th inning for his first win of the season.
Neither starter figured in the decision. Walker tossed 6-2/3 innings, giving up an unearned run on three hits. He struck out two and walked two.
Foley went 7-2/3 innings. He gave up a run on four IPFW hits. He struck out three and walked two.
Emge (1-2) was saddled with the loss for IPFW. He gave up an unearned run on two hits in 2/3 of an inning. He walked two.
Smith was 2-2 for Evansville, who improved to 4-8 with the win.
The Mastodons fell to 2-7 with the loss. They will continue play in the Dunn Classic on Saturday morning, facing Mississippi Valley State at 11:00 a.m.
Dons~
