Box Score
Valparaiso came from
behind twice to tie the game, including once in the ninth inning on Thursday
afternoon, but Milwaukee plated the game-winning run in the bottom of the 10th
to defeat the Crusaders 4-3 at Henry Aaron Field in Milwaukee, Wis.
Damon McCormick (Louisville, Ky./Saint Xavier H.S.) went the
distance for Valpo suffering the loss (5-6).
He pitched well, but gave up the game-winning single to Sam Sivilotti
with one out in the 10th inning.
McCormick allowed the four runs on 10 hits and struck out four while
walking just two.
“It’s extremely
frustrating losing today,” head coach Tracy
Woodson said. “I thought for the
most part we played a good ball game.
Damon pitched well and we didn’t commit any errors defensively, which
have cost us games in the past. However,
we didn’t get down a few key bunts nor did we score a couple of runners from
third, and that’s the difference.”
Valpo struck first
in the second inning. Robbie Robinson (Brea, Calif./Olinda
H.S.) doubled to the gap in left-center with one out and ended up on third when
the leftfielder had trouble picking up the ball along the wall. Robinson scored one batter later on a wild
pitch, giving the Crusaders a 1-0 lead.
Milwaukee answered
in the bottom of the second. With two
outs Paul Striggow tripled to deep center, just out of the reach of a diving Chris Manning (Lake Forest, Calif./El
Toro H.S.), plating a pair of runs and giving the Panthers a 2-1 lead.
Both McCormick and
Milwaukee starter Chad Pierce prevented any more runs from going up on the
scoreboard from the third through sixth innings before the Crusaders tied the
game in the seventh. Robinson led off
the inning with his third home run of the season, a blast to deep leftfield.
Again Milwaukee retook
the lead in the bottom of the frame. Mark
Strey led off with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. With two outs, Cole Kraft singled up the
middle, giving the hosts a 3-2 advantage, which they would take to the ninth
inning.
Robinson led off the
ninth with his third hit of the day, a single up the middle, and David Klein
(Aurora, Ill./Oswego East H.S.) pinch ran for him. Robinson finished the day just a triple from
the cycle.
“Robbie swung the
bat well today,” Woodson said. “This was
probably the best he has swung for an entire game all season.”
Bobby Martin (Crystal Lake, Ill./Prairie Ridge H.S.) sacrificed
Klein to second and Corey Thibault
(Tustin, Calif./Foothill H.S.) delivered a game-tying double to the gap in
left-center. He was stranded at third
though, as Valpo was unable to push the go-ahead run across the plate.
“We executed that
inning to get the tying run home,” Woodson said. “Robinson got on to lead off, we pinch ran
for him, Martin got the bunt down, and Thibault delivered the big hit.”
The Crusaders
threatened in the top of the 10th, putting the first two runners on,
but a strikeout-caught stealing double play helped prevent Valpo from scoring.
Milwaukee plated the
game-winning run as Kraft walked to lead off the 10th and moved to
second on a single by Doug Dekonning.
Sivilotti then delivered the game-winning hit to the gap in left-center,
just by the diving Manning.
Robinson led Valpo’s
11-hit attack with his 3-for-4 afternoon wile Martin had a pair of doubles in
three at bats and also had the sacrifice bunt.
Kraft and Sivilotti
each had two hits for Milwaukee as the Panthers tallied 10 on the afternoon.
Pierce went nine
innings, allowing three runs and 10 hits, striking out six and did not walk
anyone, but earned a no decision for Milwaukee.
Cuyler Franzke earned the win (1-1) in relief, pitching the 10th
inning.
Valparaiso (21-29,
13-9 Horizon) and Milwaukee (26-25-1, 14-9-1) will wrap up the regular season
on Friday afternoon with a doubleheader at Henry Aaron Field. First pitch of game one is set for 1 p.m.