IPFW Rallies for Doubleheader Split with Oakland

Sunday, April 10

Fort Wayne, Ind.

12:00 PM

Purdue Fort Wayne

Oakland

Will Faulkner homered in Game 2 as IPFW salvaged a sweep with Oakland

IPFW Rallies for Doubleheader Split with Oakland

4/10/2011 6:15:21 PM | Baseball

Mastodons win 3 of 4 from Golden Grizzlies

Game 1 | Game 2 | Photo Gallery

Fort Wayne, IN - IPFW shook off the effects of being run-ruled in the opening game of Sunday's doubleheader with Oakland, 12-2 to come back and win the nightcap, 9-7 at Mastodon Field. In the process, the Mastodons took 3 of 4 from the Golden Grizzlies on the opening week of Summit League baseball play.

In the opener, the Golden Grizzlies gave their starter Russell Luxton all the run support he would need in the first three innings. Oakland got one in the first, three in the second and four in the third. The big blast of the four-run 3rd inning was a two run homer off the bat of shortstop D.J. Jarrad.

IPFW never threatened in the contest, managing just five hits against Luxton who moved to 2-0 on the season with the win. He tossed 7.0 complete, giving up two runs (one earned). He walked and struck out three in the game.

IPFW starter Parker Moorman was saddled with the loss (0-4). He surrendered seven runs (five earned) on five hits over 2.2 innings.

Game 2 was a different story for the Mastodon offense. They jumped on OU starter Aaron Wick from the opening bell. The second batter of the game, shortstop Will Faulkner, blasted his first homer of the season out to left to start the scoring for the 'Dons.

Center fielder Kurt Dudley followed with a single and raced home on an RBI double off the left-center wall by first baseman A.J. Christensen. Left fielder Steve Danielak, third baseman Kristian Gayday and designated hitter Cory Miller each added RBIs to give the Mastodons a 5-0 lead after one.

The 'Dons added two more in the 2nd inning as right fielder Nate Thomas plated Faulkner with an RBI single and Danielak scored Christensen on an RBI groundout.

IPFW starter Samuel Walker had held to Golden Grizzlies at a distance, taking a 9-3 lead into the 7th inning, but the senior began to tire. Oakland's first three batters in the seventh reached base via single. After an RBI ground out, second baseman Tommy Jablonski made it interesting with a three-run homer to left center.

That was all for Walker. Head Coach Bobby Pierce brought on Danielak to close it out and the freshman fanned the final two Golden Grizzlies to preserve the 9-7 win and notch his first save of the season.

Wick took the Game 2 loss (2-4). He gave up eight runs on 13 hits.

Walker earned his third win of the season against two losses. He surrendered seven runs on 11 hits, while walking and fanning two.

Christensen and Thomas each had three-hit games. Faulkner, Dudley and Danielak had a pair of hits with Danielak driving in three runs.

With the split, IPFW improves to 8-17 and 3-1 in Summit League play. Oakland finishes the weekend at 6-15 and 1-3 in conference action.

Next up for the Mastodons is a non-conference matchup with the Purdue Boilermakers on Wednesday night at Parkview Field. First pitch is set for 7:30 p.m.

~Dons~