Wednesday, April 09, 2003

Bloomington, Ind. - Eddie Hannan had three hits, including two doubles, in Valpo's 7-2 loss to Indiana. The junior second baseman also scored both Crusader runs. Nick Mazzone, a freshman outfielder, added two hits and one RBI for Valpo (6-15-1).

Valpo tied the game at 2-2 in the sixth inning when Hannan doubled with one out and scored on Mazzone's bunt single. The Hoosiers took a 4-2 lead with two unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth. Indiana (20-7) added one run in the seventh and two in the eighth. Only two of IU's seven runs were earned.

The Crusaders grabbed a 1-0 advantage in the second on Hannan's double, Mazzone's sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly to center by Tyler Lowell. IU tied the game in the third by scoring a run on a passed ball and took a 2-1 lead in the fifth when a run scored on a wild pitch.

After the two-run sixth, Ryan Donley extended the Hoosiers' lead to 5-2 with an RBI infield single in the seventh. Vasili Spanos delivered a two-out, two-run single to center in the eighth for IU's final runs.

Valpo used five pitchers with no pitcher hurling more than 2 innings. Elliott Gibbs (1-2) suffered the loss in relief, allowing one earned run and two hits in 2 innings. Marc Boggio (2 innings) started and was followed by Tom Starck (2), Gibbs, Adam Knobel (1) and Adam Paetznick (1).

Indiana sent six pitchers to the mound with Brian Lortz (1-0) picking up the win. Lortz allowed one earned run and three hits in 2 1/3 innings.

Valpo hosts IPFW in a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at noon.