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Purdue Fort Wayne
OAKLAND
VanDriessche Swings Mastodons past Golden Grizzlies
4/19/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 19, 2009
Fort Wayne, IN - Junior first baseman Shaun VanDriessche delivered a two-run, walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth to lift IPFW over visiting Oakland, 4-3 in the finale of their Summit League series Sunday afternoon at Mastodons Field.
VanDriessche's game winner came with one out in the Mastodons' final at-bat.
The win gave the 'Dons a series split with the Golden Grizzlies.
IPFW opened the scoring in the bottom of the first on an RBI single to left by third baseman Mark Carden.
The score remained 1-0 until the top of the fifth. Oakland plated a pair in the frame, the first coming on an RBI double by center fielder Justin Wilson. Left fielder Tim Ryan would also come home on an infield error by the Mastodons. It was the only IPFW miscue in the contest.
The Mastodons tied the contest in the bottom of the 6th inning as VanDriessche blasted a solo shot to lead off the inning.
With the scored tied at two, Oakland took the lead in the 8th inning on an RBI sacrifice fly by designated hitter Rob Merkle.
The Golden Grizzlies (12-21, 6-6 SL) seemed to have everything in control as reliever Dan Augustine fanned six of the first eight batters he faced, but after getting the first out in the ninth, OU skipper John Musachio went to his bullpen.
Reliever Kasey Kearcher walked the first batter he faced, IPFW right fielder Joel Washko. The next batter, shortstop Jordan Kohler singled to center giving the 'Dons runners at first and second with one out.
Second baseman Chris Gottschall was hit by a Kearcher fastball to load the bases for VanDriessche, and the junior from New Haven ended it with his single to center.
IPFW reliever Andrew Emge pitched a scoreless top of the ninth to grab his second win of the season (2-3). Kearcher took the loss (0-2) giving up the two runs on two hits.
Kohler, Gottschall, VanDriessche, Carden, and catcher Devin Taylor each had two hits in the game for the Mastodons who pounded out 11 in the win.
With the win, IPFW is now 9-26, and 2-10 in Summit League play. The Mastodons step out of conference play for a Wednesday afternoon meeting with Dayton at Mastodons Field. Game time is 3:00 p.m.
~Dons~
