Sunday, February 27, 2005

Clarksville, Tenn. - Wisconsin-Milwaukee scored an unearned run in the bottom of the 10th to defeat Valpo 8-7 in the final game of the Austin Peay Invitational. Kevin Kutansky went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and Brian Rzepka belted a solo home run for the Crusaders (0-3).

The Panthers scored the winning run on a fielding error with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th. After a walk, stolen base, another walk, sacrifice bunt and intentional walk loaded the bases, Valpo reliever Adam Knobel recorded a strikeout for the second out. However, an error was committed on a ball hit to first base, resulting in the game-winning run.

Wisconsin-Milwaukee (1-2) tied the game at 7-7 in the eighth on a two-run homer. In the top of the eighth, Valpo took a 7-5 lead on Rzepka's first roundtripper of the season over the left center field fence.

Valpo plated two runs in the seventh to take a 6-5 lead. Jon Rupno, who leads Valpo with a .444 batting average, led off the frame with a double and eventually scored on Mike Arensdorff's RBI groundout. Kutansky added an RBI double to give the Crusaders the lead.

A three-run third gave Valpo a 3-0 lead as Colin Reynolds and Matt Augustine delivered RBI singles. Reynolds scored the third run on the throw following Augustine's single which scored Kutansky.

The Panthers responded with a four-run third inning, highlighted by a two-run double and an RBI single.

Arensdorff doubled to lead off the fifth and scored on Kutansky's RBI single to tie the game at 4-4. UWM regained a 5-4 lead on a solo homer.

Elliott Gibbs started for Valpo, allowing five earned runs on five hits in 5 innings. The righthander struck out six and walked two. Knobel (0-1) suffered the loss, allowing two earned runs on three hits in 2 2/3 innings. He fanned three and issued three walks. Chris Riley and John Snelten each pitched a scoreless inning of relief for Valpo.

Four of Valpo's 12 hits were doubles by Arensdorff, Kutansky, John Giusti and Rupno. UWM finished with nine hits. Valpo committed two errors, while the Panthers committed one miscue.

Valpo travels to Bradenton, Fla. for six games, beginning with Wednesday's contest against Seton Hall at 3 p.m.