March 20, 2011

Box Score

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Valparaiso found its offense Sunday afternoon, scoring nine times on 10 hits to defeat Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 9-5 in baseball at SimmonsCooper Complex.

The Crusaders, 2-17, had lost each of their previous two games during the weekend by identical 1-0 scores.

"I didn't think we played all that well at any phase," SIUE Head Coach Gary Collins said. "We didn't run the bases well or take good at-bats early in the game. And we had a couple of defensive mishaps that cost us."

Valpo took a 2-0 lead in the third thanks to a pair of unearned runs. Bobby Martin opened the inning, reaching on an error. Michael Mormon sacrificed Martin to second. Martin then scored on a two-out single by Chris Manning. Steven Scoby made it 2-0 with an RBI double to left center.

The Crusaders extended the lead to 6-0 with a four-run fifth inning. VU scored the four runs on five hits against SIUE starter Josh Malin. Kyle Gaedele and Will Hagel each had RBI hits in the inning. VU catcher Robbie Robinson capped the inning with a two-run home run to left.

Robinson finished 2 for 5 with the two RBIs. Manning was also 2 for 5. Bobby Martin was 2 for 3 with two RBIs.

Malin, 1-2, took the loss for the Cougars. He last 7 2/3 innings, giving up five runs on 10 hits. He struck out four.

"Josh has to be able to pitch around some of those mistakes," Collins said.

SIUE, 5-14, scored twice on three consecutive hits in the fifth inning. Brett Keeler singled to center with one away, then scored on a double from Matt Highland. Highland went to third on the throw to plate. Chase Green drove home Highland with a single to right to cut the Valparaiso lead to 6-2.

The Cougars were trailing 9-2 when they rallied for three more runs with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Travis Becherer, James Vazquez and Mitch Matecki loaded the bases with consecutive singles. Devin Caldwell then walked to force home Becherer. Zach Hawkins followed with a two-run double to left center, driving in Vazquez and Matecki to make it 9-5.

The Cougars outhit the Crusaders 11-10.

Zach Hawkins led the Cougars at the plate. He was 3 for 4 with two RBIs. Becherer and Matecki were each 2 for 4 for SIUE.

The Cougars will play a single game Wednesday when they host Bradley at SimmonsCooper Complex. First pitch with the Braves is set for 6 p.m.

"We have to keep playing," Collins said. "We have young pitchers and young hitters we need to develop."