IPFW Splits Doubleheader at Alabama State

Saturday, March 23

Montgomery, Ala.

1:00 p.m.

Purdue Fort Wayne

6-11

Alabama State

15-8

IPFW

Alabama State

3/23/2013 8:24:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Game 1 Box

Game 2 Box

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The IPFW baseball team took a 2-0 loss in game one at Alabama State, but responded with a 4-3 win in the nightcap to improve their overall record to 7-11. IPFW will end the series with a 1 p.m. matchup against the Hornets tomorrow at Wheeler-Watkins Field.

TJ Renda was tough on the mound for Alabama State in game one. He limited IPFW to just three hits on the mound while striking out 10. Markus Kalber went 2-for-3 in the game with a double and Steve Lowden went 1-for-4 and picked up his second double of the season.

Jason Kalber got the start for IPFW in game one and Danny Tursell came in for the final two innings. Kalber gave up two earned runs in six innings of work. He walked one and struck out five, but he was hit with his third loss of the year as IPFW could not generate any runs off Renda who threw a complete game.

Tursell allowed three hits in two innings of action. He didn't issue a walk and was also able to strike out one batter.

Alabama State scored the first run of the ballgame in the bottom of the second inning. Estrada singled and then moved to second base off a sacrifice bunt. The strategy worked as an RBI single through the left side of the infield sent Estrada to the plate giving the Hornets a slim lead.

The second and final run of the game came in the bottom of the fourth inning as Marrero hit a two-out home run over the fence in left field. It was his first home run of the season.

IPFW used a two-run ninth inning to steal a win in the second game of the doubleheader. Clay Hathaway walked to lead off the inning and then Lucas Salerno moved him to second with a sacrifice bunt. Head Coach Bobby Pierce went with an aggressive call as Hathaway would steal third base with Evan VanSumeren at the dish. VanSumeran delivered a sacrifice fly to centerfield as Hathaway evened the score at 3-3.

The momentum shifted with the very next batter as Caleb Fenimore sent a shot over the left field wall to give IPFW the win. It was Fenimore's first home run of the season.

Six different players recorded a hit in game two and Fenimore scored two of IPFW's four runs. Chuck Weaver threw 7.1 innings, but left with no decision as Steve Danielak was credited with the win. Danielak is now 3-2 overall.

Connor Lawhead shut the door on Alabama State as he came in from the bullpen to earn his third save of the season. He didn't allow a hit in the final inning, even though the Hornets had a man on base after a walk.

~ Feel the Rumble ~