Purdue Fort Wayne
UT-Martin
'Dons Can't Hold Lead in Extras, Fall in 11 to UT-Martin, 7-6
2/21/2010 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 21, 2010
Martin, TN - IPFW took a two-run lead in the top of the 11th inning, but couldn't hold off a furious UT-Martin rally, falling to the Skyhawks 7-6 on Sunday at UT-Martin Field.
After committing just a single error in yesterday's season-opening double header, IPFW had four miscues in today's game.
The Mastodons would get on the board first in the 4th inning on a squeeze-play. DH Brett Clark laid down a bunt allowing Shaun VanDriessche to score from third.
A pair of Mastodon errors allowed UT-Martin to tie the game at one in the fifth.
In the 6th inning, IPFW used a Skyhawk error to take the lead. After a leadoff double by catcher Cory Miller, Clark sent a shot to second base that was kicked around allowing Miller to score.
In the home half of the frame, UTM got a pair of runs to take a 4-3 lead.
In the 7th inning, IPFW took the lead again. Shortstop Will Faulkner chased home second baseman David Drahozel with a single to center field. Faulkner would follow Drahozel home on another single by Miller.
UT-Martin were down to their final three outs and responded in the bottom of the 9th inning. The Skyhawks got runners on first and third following a lead-off walk, hit batsman, and a wild pitch. UTM third baseman Cody Terry would ground into a double-play allowing center fielder Jerron Casey to score from third tying the contest at four and sending the game into extra innings.
Following a scoreless tenth, IPFW would take the lead in the 11th inning. First baseman A.J. Christensen would come to the plate with two outs and drive a shot to right center field scoring Scott Micinski and Ryan Beer making it 6-4 'Dons.
However, The Skyhawks would get back-to-back-to back doubles to tie it at six, and the final IPFW error of the afternoon would give the 'Hawks the game at 7-6.
UTM reliever Alec Mills got the win, pitching 3.0 innings. He have up two runs while striking out four.
IPFW reliever Cory Bluhm took the loss. He faced two batters, walking one before the walk-off error.
The Mastodons (0-3) will return to action at Southeast Missouri State on Friday. The 'Dons will play a three-game set with Redhawks.
~Dons~
