Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Valparaiso broke open a close game with 14 runs in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings to come from behind and beat IPFW 15-3 on Tuesday afternoon in Bradenton, Fla.

Trailing 2-1 after five, the Crusaders scored four runs in both the sixth and seventh innings and added six more in the eighth for the victory.

Zach Rodeghero (New Lenox, Ill./Providence Catholic H.S.) went 4-for-6 with a homerun, two doubles, and two runs batted in for the Crusaders.

Dallas Cawiezell (Long Grove, Iowa/North Scott H.S.) (1-0) earned the win, pitching 5.2 innings and striking out three while allowing just two earned runs. Hitting for himself in the batting order, the junior also registered three hits and had three RBIs at the plate.

Colin Reynolds (Crookston, Minn./Central H.S.) and Dan Portschy (Clarendon Hills, Ill./Hinsdale Central H.S.) each added two runs batted in as all nine batters had at least one hit for the Brown and Gold.

Starter Stacy Herrold (0-2) worked 5.1 innings allowing nine hits and five runs while suffering the loss. Adam Miller went 2-for-2 for IPFW (1-10).

Valpo (2-2) will face the Mastodons again on Tuesday afternoon beginning at 12 p.m. in Bradenton.