'Dons Split Twinbill with Leathernecks

Saturday, April 17

Macomb, Ill.

3:00 PM

Purdue Fort Wayne

6-26, 2-5

Western Illinois

9-22, 2-5

IPFW

Western Illinois

4/17/2010 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

April 17, 2010

Game 1 | Game 2

Macomb, IL - IPFW split its Saturday afternoon conference double header at Western Illinois. The Mastodons took the opener, 6-2 but one bad inning cost the 'Dons a sweep falling in Game 2, 3-2.

In the opener, IPFW staked Western Illinois to a 1-0 in the first before taking their first lead in the 3rd inning.  Center fielder Kurt Dudley drove in a pair while legging out a triple to right center.  It was Dudley's first triple of the year and just the third three-bagger for the 'Dons on the season.

Western Illinois (9-22, 2-5 SL) tied the game in the home half of the third.  Catcher John Koszulinski grounded out to  shortstop Will Faulkner that scored first baseman Andrew Hagins.  But that is all the scoring the Leathernecks would muster against IPFW starter Ryan August. 

August got more run support in the 6th inning.  IPFW took advantage of a throwing error to score its third run and then took a 4-2 lead on an RBI ground-rule double by second baseman Jordan Kohler.

August turned the game over to the bullpen and they came through just as they did in Game 1 of the series.  Scott Micinski, Matt Ransbottom and Sam Walker tossed an inning of scoreless ball each to give August his first win of the season.

IPFW got insurance runs in the 8th inning on a Brett Clark sacrifice fly and in the 9th inning on a Shaun VanDriessche triple (IPFW's fourth of the season) to win 6-2.

August (1-6) gave up two runs (one earned) on just two hits.  He struck out seven and walked one.

WIU starter Kevin VanBrooker took the loss (3-2).  In 7.1 innings, he gave up five runs on seven hits.  He fanned five and walked three.

In Game 2, IPFW took a 1-0 lead in the first on a Cory Miller RBI single.

The 'Dons made it 2-0 in the third as DH Brett Clark lifted a SAC fly to center.

IPFW starter Matt Antos had it on cruise control until the 4th inning.  Western Illinois loaded the bases with two out and scored their first run on a passed ball.  The next batter, second baseman Cole Waddell doubled down the left field line scoring two and that is the way the ballgame ended.

Antos took the loss (0-5).  He pitched the entire 7-inning game.  He struck out six and walked three.

Randon Lingle got the win (3-2), giving up IPFW"s two runs on seven hits.  He struck out one and walked two.

With the split, the Mastodons improve to 6-26 and 2-5 in league play.  The final game of the series is set for Sunday at Boyer Stadium.

~Dons~