.png&width=32&height=32&type=webp)
Purdue Fort Wayne
OAKLAND
Gottschall Goes Yard Three Times in Double Header Split
4/18/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 18, 2009
Fort Wayne, IN - Sometimes you get the bear...sometimes it gets you. IPFW senior first baseman Chris Gottschall was the hunter today as he homered three times in double header split with the Oakland Golden Grizzlies at Mastodons Field on Saturday.
The Mastodons took Game 1 of the twin bill, 11-7, but fell in the nightcap by the final of 7-1.
Gottschall got the 'Dons going in the 1st inning of Game 1 with a three-run shot to right. The opposite field blast was his fifth of the season.
The senior from O'Fallon, Illinois struck again in the third inning. This time a two-run blast to left field that gave the Mastodons a 5-0 lead. IPFW wasn't finished in the frame. They got two more on a passed ball that allowed designated hitter Shaun VanDriessche to score and on a bases loaded walk that plated right fielder Joel Washko.
With the score, 8-1 in the 7th inning, Oakland began to make a comeback. The Golden Grizzlies pushed three across in the inning to draw to with 8-4.
IPFW would get those three back in the bottom of the 8th inning on RBIs by Gottschall, third baseman Mark Carden, and second baseman Jason Doerffler.
Oakland made it interesting in the ninth as third baseman Rob Merkle hit a three run homer, but reliever Cory Bluhm settled down to get the final out of the game and pick up his first save of the season.
IPFW starter Josh Shatto got the win (3-1). He went 6.2 innings, giving up four runs on six hits.
OU starter Kyle Teague took the loss (0-3). He was victimized by Gottschall. In 2.2 innings, he gave up seven runs on four hits.
In Game 2, Oakland took control early, scoring a run on no hits in the first.
The Grizzlies got two more in the second on RBIs by center fielder Justin Wilson and shortstop D.J. Jarrad.
Oakland (12-20, 5-6 SL) led 4-0 going into the 6th inning, when Gottschall slammed his third homer of the afternoon. His solo shot to right made it 4-1, but Oakland added three insurance runs in the top of the seventh for the 7-1 win.
Aaron Wick (2-2) got the win. He threw 6.0 innings of four-hit ball. His only run issued was the Gottschall homer.
IPFW starter Stacy Herrold took the loss (1-5). He gave up seven runs on 10 hits in 7.0 innings of work.
With the split, IPFW is now 8-26, 1-10 SL. The win snapped an 11 game losing skid.
Weather permitting, both teams will play the final game of the series Sunday afternoon at noon.
~Dons~
