Danielak Shines in Doubleheader Split

Saturday, May 12

Fort Wayne, Ind.

12 p.m.

Purdue Fort Wayne

15-36, 7-15

Oral Roberts

29-20, 13-4

Oral Roberts

IPFW

Photo by: Lucas Carter

5/12/2012 6:32:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Game One Box Score

Game Two Box Score

FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- IPFW split a doubleheader against Oral Roberts on Saturday. The Golden Eagles ended the first game in just seven innings with a 15-3 victory, but the 'Dons fought back to grab a 6-5 win in the nightcap after going into extra innings.

Steve Danielak played a huge role in the win over Oral Roberts in game two of the doubleheader. Danielak moved into the starting lineup as the designated hitter. He responded with a 4-for-5 performance from the plate including two huge RBI's. The sophomore also picked up the win on the mound for IPFW. He is now 6-2 on the year.

Clay Hathaway jumpstarted the win over Oral Roberts with a two-run home run in the third inning that gave IPFW their first lead of the series. Hathaway ended the game 3-for-5 with two runs scored and three RBI's.

Hathaway wasn't the only Mastodon with a home run on Saturday as Kristian Gayday highlighted game one with his first round tripper of the season. Oral Roberts dominated from the start in game one as they jumped out to a 6-0 lead after the first inning. Gayday cut into the lead with a two-run homer in the bottom of the second, but a three-run third inning and five more in the seventh gave Oral Roberts the win.

Carter DeBoe and Malcolm White helped IPFW push across their third run of the game in the third inning of game one. White came up with a one-out double to left field. He would come around to score off a DeBoe single to centerfield.

Jason Kalber and Kevin Kimball each got time on the mound in game one. Kalber was charged with the loss, he is now 4-9 on the season.

Game two was exciting from start to finish. After a quick first inning ORU grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the second. IPFW took the lead in the third courtesy of the Clay Hathaway home run. It looked as if the Golden Eagles were going to make a comeback as they scored four runs in the fifth, but IPFW held strong scoring two in the sixth, one in the seventh and then the game winning run crossed in the bottom of nine.

Lucas Salerno came up big in the sixth inning with a two-out single that got IPFW back to the top of the order. Hathaway sent Salerno home with a double to left center field. After a Malcolm White walk, it was DeBoe sending a double down the right field line. Hathaway scored, but White was gunned down at the plate giving IPFW two runs on three hits.

The seventh frame was very exciting as IPFW scored to push the game into extra innings. Daren Boss got things started with a single through the right side of the infield. Gayday did his job as a sacrifice bunt moved Boss into scoring position.

Oral Roberts Head Coach Rob Walton made a pitching change after the sacrifice bunt. Lars Liguori entered the game from the bullpen with one on and one out. He got Trevino to ground out, but Boss advanced on the at-bat placing him on third base. Danielak who switched from the designated hitter to the pitcher, delivered the most important hit of the day as his single through the right side tied the game.

The Mt. Prospect native would go on to win the game as it was Danielak's RBI single in the ninth that pushed the winning run to the plate. Boss once again singled to start the inning. A sacrifice bunt moved him into scoring position and a good jump off the hit allowed him to score the game-winning run.

Boss will be honored tomorrow prior to first pitch as Sunday's contest will be featured as senior day. The final home game of the season will start at 11:00 a.m.

~ Feel the Rumble ~