Monday, March 04, 2013

It took the Georgetown Hoyas four times, but they finally got to Chris DeBoo.  

The fifth-year senior had allowed five hits and one run through seven innings, but the third out of the 7th inning was the last one he would record.

The Hoyas (4-4) were the home team in the neutral-site tilt, and pushed a run across in their first at-bat.  A Justin Leeson sacrifice fly to center brought in leadoff hitter Curtiss Pomeroy.  

Valpo (2-7) fought back to tie the game in the top of 2nd when Elliott Martin ripped a 1-1 fastball for a double into the left center gap. The two-bagger plated first-baseman John Loeffler.  

The first two batters of the 4th inning were retired by Hoya starter Thomas Polus (1-1).  With Martin's double fresh on the minds of the Georgetown defense, the third-baseman laid down a bunt between third base and the pitcher's mound which he beat out.  Andrew Bynum skied a Polus delivery to short right field that left Georgetown second baseman Danny Poplawski and right fielder Christian Venditti appearing perplexed at each other as they ball landed between them.  Bynum was able to get to second on the play, and Martin to third.

Chris Manning followed Bynum's double with a basehit up the middle that scored both.  The Crusaders took a 3-1 lead.

With the lead, DeBoo (1-1) worked efficiently, getting 14 ground ball outs in seven innings.  He danced around trouble in the 6th inning as two Hoya hits and a hit batsmen loaded the bases for outfielder Paul Bello.  Bello evenutally grounded out to second baseman Tanner Vavra to end the frame.

The heart of the Georgetown order was due up in the bottom of the 8th and, DeBoo, at only 87 pitches, was sent out for the eighth inning with the 3-1 advantage. Four batters and seven pitches later, the Hoyas led 4-3.  Back-to-back doubles by Poplawski and catcher Nick Collins scored the tying and go-ahead runs.

Georgetown closer Charlie Steinman struck out Martin swinging, coaxed a ground ball out from Bynum, and got Mark Johnson to ground out to end the game after allowing a basehit to Manning.  The save was Steinman's second of the year.

Valparaiso looks to avoid its second three-game losing streak on the young season tomorrow versus Villanova. Freshman left-hander Dalton Lundeen will make the first start of his career against a 1-6 Wildcat club tomorrow at 11:30 am Eastern/10:30 am Central at North Charlotte Park.