Mastodons Win Opener, Rain Prevails in Nightcap

Saturday, May 7

Fort Wayne, Ind.

1:30 PM

Purdue Fort Wayne

Western Illinois

Ryan August registered a complete game win vs. WIU on Saturday

Mastodons Win Opener, Rain Prevails in Nightcap

5/7/2011 6:10:01 PM | Baseball

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Fort Wayne, IN - The IPFW baseball team rallied from a 4-0 deficit to top Western Illinois, 5-4 on Saturday afternoon at Mastodon Field. The win came in Game 1 of a doubleheader that was suspended by rain in the first inning of Game 2.

Game 2 was halted in the bottom of the first with WIU leading 2-0.

A win in the opener on "Senior Day" looked improbable as IPFW allowed three runs, while committing two errors in the top of the second inning.

Western Illinois starter Zach Sterling lookedas if he would be untouchable after the first two frames, striking out five straight Mastodons.

The Leathernecks took advantage of another IPFW miscue to lead off the top of the 3rd inning. First baseman Tom Lilja sent an RBI single to center field that scored DH Dan Dispensa who had reached on that 'Don error.

IPFW finally broke through in the bottom of the third. Sterling walked IPFW left fielder Carter DeBoe to lead off the inning. Two batters later, catcher Cory Miller doubled to left, giving the 'Dons runners at second and third with one out. The Mastodons would get a clutch two-out two-RBI single by third baseman Will Faulkner to cut the WIU lead to 4-2.

IPFW would eventually take the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth. With the bases loaded and two outs, center fielder Kurt Dudley singled to center field. Miller and Faulkner scored easily, but WIU right fielder Matt Igara tried to cut down Brett Clark at third and his throw sailed over third baseman Chris Gilgio's head allowing Clark to score.

IPFW starter Ryan August made that 5-4 lead hold up the rest of the way. He didn't allow a run from the third inning on. He went wire-to-wire for his third win of the season (3-4) gaving up four runs, none earned, on seven hits. He struck out four and walked one.

Sterling punched out 13 in 7.0 innings of work, but was tagged with the loss (5-3). He allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits. He also walked four.

The win allowed IPFW to climb back to within a game of Western Illinois as the two battle for the fourth and final spot to make the Summit League tournament.

Game 2 just got underway when the rains came. The Leathernecks did score two after two out in their half of the first. The game will resume on Sunday at noon with the Mastodons batting with a man on first an no outs.

~Dons~