Saturday, March 17, 2007

Valparaiso got a solid pitching performance from Nick Mazzone (Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North H.S.) but were unable to plate more than one run as the Crusaders fell 4-1 to Richmond on Saturday afternoon in Richmond, Va.

Mazzone (0-3) threw 6.1 innings of three-run, seven-hit baseball, striking out four, but it was not enough for the Brown and Gold.

Valpo jumped in front first in the top of the opening inning. Michael Arensdorff (Eldridge, Iowa/North Scott H.S.) singled and scored on a double off of the bat of Zach Rodeghero (New Lenox, Ill./Providence Catholic H.S.).

The Spiders tied the game in the fifth on a RBI double by Benji Marshall. Joe Mahoney put the hosts in front in the sixth with his homer to rightfield. Richmond added two in the seventh on a sacrifice fly and a RBI single by Cameron Brown for insurance runs.

Arensdorff had three hits for the Crusaders in the loss.

Josh Horn (1-2) earned the victory for Richmond (8-9) in relief.

Valparaiso (2-10) will return north to face Illinois State on Tuesday afternoon in a 4 p.m. contest in Bloomington, Ill.