The Valparaiso University baseball team closed out a road series victory on Sunday, beating Alabama State 3-1 in a rubber match in Montgomery, Ala. Sophomore Nick Baffa (Glenview, Ill. / Notre Dame College Prep) finished out a trend of stellar starting pitching this weekend, as Valpo starters allowed just one run over 16 innings in the series. Valpo gave up one run total over the final 22 innings of the series.
 
How It Happened

• Valpo took the lead in the top of the third as freshman Cal Schembra (Greenwood, Ind. / Center Grove) tripled to left center to drive in a pair.
• Baffa did not allow a run over the first four frames. He was touched for a single tally in the fifth as a run crossed the plate on a fielder's choice bouncer to make it 2-1. Baffa exited in position for the win after five strong in which he allowed one run on five hits and struck out six while walking one.
• Redshirt senior Justin Bultemeier (Decatur, Ind. / Adams Central) came out of the bullpen to retire the side in order in the sixth, then he worked another scoreless frame allowing just one walk in the seventh.
• Redshirt freshman Javin Gauthier (De Pere, Wis. / De Pere) led off the eighth inning with a home run down the right-field line, providing an insurance tally for the Beacons by extending the lead to 3-1.
• Redshirt junior Ryan Kruse (Detroit, Mich. / U of D Jesuit) pitched a scoreless bottom of the eighth. He followed up with a scoreless ninth.

Inside the Game

• Gauthier's home run was his second of the young season as the redshirt freshman also launched one on Feb. 21 at USC Upstate.
• Freshman Cole Lockwood (Libertyville, Ill. / Libertyville) and sophomore Michael Kuska (Pontiac, Ill. / Pontiac Township) had two hits apiece in a game where each team had seven hits.
• Schembra's triple was his second already on the season (Feb. 20 at Wofford) and his sixth extra-base hit through his first 10 collegiate contests.
• Baffa's five innings and six strikeouts both marked career highs. He achieved his first collegiate victory.
• Kruse nailed down his second career save and first of the season.

 
Up Next
The Beacons (5-5) will head back to the state of Alabama next weekend for a three-game set with Jacksonville State that begins on Friday at 6 p.m. in Jacksonville, Ala.