Wednesday, March 31, 2004

Bloomington, Ind. - Valpo used a three-run fifth to tie the score at 4-4, but Indiana plated single runs in the sixth and eighth innings to defeat the Crusaders 6-4.

In Valpo's fifth, Kevin Perri led off with a double and Ryan Manthei was hit by a pitch. After Troy Garrett reached base on an error by the pitcher to load the bases, IU's third baseman committed a throwing error on Brian Rzepka's ground ball, scoring both Perri and Manthei. Jeff Rickert added a sacrifice fly to score Chad Pierce, who pinch ran for Garrett.

Indiana broke the 4-4 tie in the sixth when Seth Bynum doubled and eventually scored while Ryan Donley was caught stealing second base. The Hoosiers added an insurance run in the eighth on Joe Kemp's RBI double.

Valpo (3-13) put the tying runs in scoring position with two outs in the ninth after Colin Reynolds doubled, but the Crusaders were unable to score.

The Crusaders finished with four hits and committed one error, while IU (16-7) had nine hits and committed three errors.

Harvey Yergin (1-1), one of five Valpo pitchers, suffered the loss after hurling 2 innings of relief. Matt Saba (5-0) earned the win, pitching 4 innings out of the bullpen.

Valpo travels to play at IPFW on Saturday in a doubleheader beginning at noon CST (1 p.m. EST).