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Purdue Fort Wayne
Western Illinois
Mastodons Rally Late for Series Opening Win at Western Illinois
4/16/2010 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 16, 2010
Macomb, IL - The IPFW baseball team scored seven runs over the last three innings and got a strong outing from starter Nick Opitz to top Western Illinois, 10-3 on Friday afternoon at Al Boyer Stadium.
The game was the opener of a four-game series this weekend and was the first conference win of the season for the Mastodons.
IPFW gave Opitz a 1-0 lead in the 1st inning as first baseman A.J. Christensen doubled to right center scoring catcher Cory Miller.
The 'Dons defense lapsed in the second allowing WIU to take a 2-1 lead as the Leathernecks used two Mastodon errors to score their runs.
But in the top of the 3rd inning IPFW struck back. The 'Dons loaded the bases with just one out and tied the game on a passed ball that brought home left fielder Garrett Segraves. Christensen would drive in his second run of the game on an RBI ground out to second that brought home designated hitter Brett Clark.
IPFW held a 3-2 lead until the bottom of the fifth. WIU third baseman Bryan Jordan would deliver the game tying run on an RBI double to left center.
The Mastodons would take the lead for good in the 7th inning. IPFW loaded the bases on consecutive singles by center fielder Kurt Dudley, shortstop Will Faulkner and right fielder Daren Boss. Segraves patiently induced a walk scoring Dudley from third. Then, with one out, Miller brought home Faulkner and Boss with a single through the left side of the Leatherneck infield.
Opitz left after 6.0 complete and the 'Dons got great work out of their bullpen. Juniors Sam Walker and Matt Ransbottom and senior Andrew Emge each tossed a scoreless inning to close it out.
IPFW added four more runs in the top of the 9th inning highlighted by a Clark two-run single to make the final 10-3.
Clark, Christensen and Faulkner each had multiple hit games for the 'Dons.
Opitz got his second win of the season (2-2). He gave up three runs (one earned) on five hits, striking out three and walking two. Walker and Ransbottom issued just a hit in their inning of work, while Emge pitched a perfect ninth.
WIU starter Beau Below took the loss (0-3). He tossed 6.0 innings giving up five runs (four earned) on eight hits. He fanned two and walked one.
Western Illinois fell to 8-21 and 1-4 in conference play while IPFW improved to 5-25 and 1-4 in Summit League action.
Games 2 and 3 of the series are scheduled for Saturday afternoon at Al Boyer Stadium.
~Dons~
