Purdue Fort Wayne
Arkansas State
Baseball Tops Arkansas State, 2-1
3/8/2010 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 8, 2010
Jonesboro, AR - IPFW got its first win of the season, topping homestanding Arkansas State, 2-1 on Monday afternoon at Tomlinson/Kell field.
Arkansas State (7-4) used small-ball to take the lead in the third inning. Following a lead-off walk to shortstop Jordan Kimball, second baseman Zach Maggio bunted him to second and Kimball came home on an RBI single by centerfielder Michael Faulkner. But that is the only time the Trojans would cross the plate in the game.
IPFW tied the game in the top of the 4th inning on a home run to left field by first baseman A.J. Christensen. It was his first homer of the season.
In the 6th inning, DH Brett Clark led off with a triple to center. He would come home a batter later on a SAC fly by catcher Cory Miller.
Optiz scattered 10 hits over 8.1 innings but got in trouble in the 9th inning as Arkansas State loaded the bases.
Head Coach Bobby Pierce called to his pen and junior Ryan Jacobson responded. He got Maggio to strike out swinging. Then it was up to pinch hitter Ryan Emery. Emery laced a line drive to center field. IPFW center fielder Kurt Dudley dove at the sinking liner and snagged it, ending the game.
Opitz got the win (1-0). He struck out two while walking three. Jacobson got his first save of the season.
ASU starter Andres Caceres took the loss (1-1). He worked six complete giving up the two runs on five hits. He fanned four while walking one.
IPFW (1-9) will return to action on Friday, beginning a three-game series at the University of Kentucky. All games can be heard on www.gomastodons.com
~Dons~
