.png&width=32&height=32&type=webp)
Purdue Fort Wayne
South Dakota State
Jackrabbits Take Series Opener, 20-7
4/9/2010 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 9, 2010
Fort Wayne, IN - After trailing 4-0 early, South Dakota State exploded on IPFW, taking the conference opener for both squads by the final of 20-7.
IPFW tallied in each of the first three innings as first baseman A.J. Christensen opened the scoring with an RBI single in the first against SDSU starter Sam Pieczynski.
'Dons center fielder Kurt Dudley greeted Pieczynski with a leadoff homer in the second to make it 2-0. It was Dudley's fifth homer of the year.
In the 3rd inning Christensen drove in his second run of the game, and team-leading 23rd of the year, with a double to right center. First baseman Shaun VanDriessche followed that up with an RBI double of his own and the 'Dons lead 4-0.
But from there, it was all Jackrabbits. The Jacks scored five times in the
 Kurt Dudley hit his 5th homer of the season vs SDSU  |
|
IPFW would tie it in the fifth on another RBI by VanDriessche, but SDSU exploded for six in the 7th inning and six in the 8th inning to win going away.
VanDriessche would hit his team-leading eighth homer of the season in the seventh, but it was too little, too late.
VanDriessche was 3-5 with four RBI. Left fielder Garrett Segraves was also 3-5 with a run scored.
Every Jackrabbit starter registered a hit. Melton led the 21 hit attack for the Jacks with a 5-6 night. He drove in five and scored four. Included in his stat-line was his first homer of the year. Center fielder Billy Stitz was 4-7 with four RBI.
IPFW starter Nick Optiz took the loss (1-2). He pitched 6.2 innings, giving up 12 runs, all earned, on 15 hits. He struck out one and walked one.
SDSU starter Sam Pieczynski wiggled off the hook early for the win (3-1). He tossed eight complete, giving up six runs, all earned, on 12 hits. He struck out six and walked two.
With the win the Jackrabbits improve to 14-9 and 1-0 in Summit League play. The 'Dons fall to 4-22 and 0-1 in conference action. Games 2 and 3 of the four-game set will be played on Saturday at Mastodon Field. First pitch is set for 12:30 p.m.
~Dons~
