Sunday, April 03, 2005

Chicago, Ill. - UIC scored five runs in the first four innings and defeated Valpo 8-3. Kevin Kutansky had two RBIs, and Kevin Perri and Mike Arensdorff each had two hits for the Crusaders (7-11).

The Flames (13-9-1) took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on Shane Crowder's RBI double. In the third, UIC added an unearned run following a Mark Hallberg single and an error in right field.

A three-run fourth extended UIC's lead to 5-0. Bart Babineaux scored on a wild pitch, Jeff Gremley added a sacrifice fly and Bryan Nolte stole home for another unearned run.

Valpo put two runs on the scoreboard in the fifth, starting the rally with two outs. Jeff Rickert led off with a walk and Perri reached on a throwing error by the third baseman. A walk to Arensdorff loaded the bases and Kutansky delivered a two-run single to left field.

UIC extended its lead to 6-2 with a run in the fifth. The Crusaders trimmed their deficit to 6-3 in the eighth on Matt Augustine's RBI single to right center.

The Flames closed out the scoring with two in the eighth on Gremley's fielder's choice RBI and Mike Bruszer's RBI double.

Matt Gillikin (0-1) took the loss, allowing three earned runs on four hits in 4 innings. The righthander struck out two and walked four. Chris Riley hurled two scoreless innings of relief for Valpo.

Jason Foster (4-3) pitched 4 1/3 innings of relief to earn the win. He allowed no earned runs on three hits, while fanning two and walking none.

Valpo hosts Ball State on Tuesday beginning at 3 p.m.