The Valparaiso University baseball team faced off against Georgia Southern Saturday for the second of a three-game series. While their pitching was strong, the Brown and Gold’s offense was unable to capitalize on early opportunities, eventually dropping the contest 1-0. Freshman Trent Turzenski (Burlington, Wis./ Burlington) pitched brilliantly in relief, allowing just three hits over 6.2 innings pitched.

How It Happened

• After going hitless in the series opener, Riley Dent (Long Beach, Calif./ Wilson) was back to his old tricks, picking up a single in the first inning.
• Easton Rhodehouse (Gilbert, Ariz./ Highland) got the start and retired all six batters he faced, including two K’s.
• Valpo threatened in the third, putting two runners in scoring position thanks to a single and a walk. After being bunted over to second and third, Dent lifted a flyball to right field, but it was not deep enough to score the runner from third, who was thrown out at the plate on a bullet from Eagles leftfielder Noah Searcy. 
• Turzenski took the bump in the third inning in relief of the senior starter Rhodehouse. He proceeded to retire the first six batters he faced before surrendering a nine-pitch walk to the host’s cleanup hitter. The Eagles would not pick up their first hit until the bottom of the sixth.
• Valpo again had a golden opportunity to score in the fourth inning after the first three runners reached base. After a flyout to second, Kevin Barry (Bartlett, Ill./ South Elgin) smoked a liner back up the middle. Unfortunately for Valpo, pitcher Braden Hays was there to snag it and flipped to third for an inning-ending double play.
• Turzenski would pitch through to the game’s conclusion, ultimately allowing the game-winning single to Christian Avant in the bottom of the ninth.

Inside the Game

• Valpo picked up five hits through the first five innings of Saturday’s contest, including at least one in each of the first four innings. However, their offense was hampered by two double plays and five runners left on base.
• With 6.2 innings of one-run ball, Turzenski lowered his season ERA to a team-best 2.89.
• With two scoreless innings of his own, Rhodehouse moved to second on the team with a 3.95 ERA. 
• The three hits allowed are the fewest Valpo has given up in a game this season, outhitting the Eagles seven to three. It is the third time this year Valpo has outhit their opponent in a loss.

Up Next

Valpo (1-12) will again face off against Georgia Southern on Sunday for the third and final game of the season series. Links to live video and stats are available on ValpoAthletics.com.