Purdue Fort Wayne
Michigan
Wolverine DH Delivers Knockout Blow
3/20/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 20, 2009
Ann Arbor, MI - Michigan got an unexpected shot of power from junior designated hitter Alan Oaks, as the Wolverines outlasted IPFW, 4-2 on Friday afternoon at Ray Fisher Stadium.
Oaks, who came into the contest with a batting average of .182, hit a lead-off home run in the fourth inning to break a game that had been tied at two. It proved to be the game winner.
The Mastodons (5-8) opened the scoring in the game in the 2nd inning as junior second baseman Jason Doerffler singled home junior third baseman Mark Carden from third. Carden had led off the frame with a base hit of his own.
IPFW took a 2-0 lead in the third on a Chris Gottschall RBI single to right that plated centerfielder J.J. Short.
The 'Dons had a golden opportunity to put more runs on the board in that inning, but couldn't convert with runners on the corners and just one out. It would become a factor in the game.
Michigan (12-5) tied it with a pair in their half of the 3rd inning as first baseman Mike Dufek doubled to the gap in right center. His two-bagger chased home Kevin Cislo and Ryan LaMarre.
An inning later, Oaks would turn on a Sam Walker fastball sending it out of Fisher Stadium in right field.
The Wolverines would get an insurance run in the 6th inning on a Cislo RBI single.
The Mastodons threatened to get back in it in the 8th inning, loading the bases with two outs, but reliever Tyler Burgoon got one of his three strikeouts to end the threat.
Burgoon also allowed an IPFW runner to get to third in the 9th inning before closing it out.
Senior starter Chris Fetter went six innings for his third win of the season (3-1). He gave up two runs of seven hits. He struck out five and walked two. Burgoon struck out three and walked three, while giving up just one Mastodon hit for his second save of the season.
Walker took the loss for the 'Dons, his first of the season. He tossed 3-1/3 innings, giving up three runs on seven hits. He fanned two and walked one.
Gottschall was 3-5 with an RBI for IPFW.
This was the first of a three-game set for the 'Dons and Wolverines. Game 2 will be Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m.
~Dons~
