Purdue Fort Wayne
NORTH DAKOTA STATE
Mastodons Take Series Opener Over North Dakota State, 7-3
5/14/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 14, 2009
Fargo, ND - IPFW raced out to an early lead and converted that into a series opening, 7-3 win over North Dakota State at Newman Outdoor Field on Friday night in Fargo.
The Mastodons got two quick runs in the top of the 1st inning on and RBI single by shortstop Chris Gottschall and a fielder's choice off of the bat of first baseman Shaun VanDriessche.
North Dakota State matched that in the bottom of the first on an RBI single by first baseman Zach Wentz that scored left fielder Tim Jallen. The run was unearned as Jallen had reached on an error. IPFW starter Tyler Baatz then picked Wentz off at first base. It was the sixth runner Baatz had picked off on the year. That out would be huge as the next batter, designated hitter Zach Heidmann, homered to right field. Baatz got out of the inning without any more damage and the score tied at two.
IPFW took the lead in the top of the second on an RBI single by VanDriessche.
The 'Dons added two more in the third on RBI base knocks by right fielder Garrett Segraves and third baseman Mark Carden.
With injuries and a lack of depth on the mound, IPFW has had to utilize a number of pitchers in short stints and this game was no different.
After Baatz, IPFW turned to Matt Antos, Andrew Emge, and Cory Bluhm for the final seven innings of the game and the trio of Mastodon hurlers gave up just one run.
The Mastodons added one in the seventh and one in the ninth to win 7-3.
Segraves, Carden, VanDriessche, and center fielder Ryan Beer each had two-hit games. IPFW senior Quentin Brown, who has been injured most of the season, had a pinch-hit single in the ninth, stole a base, and scored a run.
Baatz was the winner (1-5) in his brief stint. He gave up two runs (both unearned) while striking out one and walking none in 2.0 innings.
Antos tossed 2.0 innings of two-hit shutout ball, Emge went three innings, giving up just a run on three hits. Freshman Bluhm gave up one hit in 2.0 innings of work for his second save of the year.
NDSU (15-27, 9-13 SL) reliever McHale Maristuen took the loss (1-3). He gave up four runs (one earned) on six hits. He fanned five and walked two in six and a third.
With the win, IPFW improves to 12-37 and 5-20 in league play. The 'Dons and Bison will play a single nine-inning game on Friday afternoon before concluding their final series with a doubleheader on Saturday.
~Dons~
