Tuesday, May 06, 2003

Valparaiso, Ind. - Justin Lata, Adam Knobel, Kyle Cummings and Adam Paetznick limited Wisconsin-Milwaukee to three hits as Valpo defeated the Panthers 6-1 in the home finale at Emory G. Bauer Field. Marc Boggio had two hits and two RBIs, Eric Snyder had two RBIs and Jeff Mandsager added two hits for the Crusaders.

Valpo (16-28-1) broke a scoreless tie in the third inning with three runs. Freshmen Tyler Lowell and Kevin Kutansky began the frame with a single and double, respectively. Snyder's RBI groundout plated Lowell before Sean Peickert doubled and Boggio delivered a two-run single to center.

Wisconsin-Milwaukee (21-20) tallied an unearned run in the sixth when Jeff Pitrof scored after Dave Pudlosky reached on a two-out error.

The Crusaders posted another three-run inning in the sixth to take a 6-1 lead. Kutansky drew a bases-loaded walk, Snyder produced a foul ball sacrifice fly to the first baseman and Peickert added another sacrifice fly to center during the scoring flurry. Two of runs were unearned as a result of a throwing error by the catcher.

Lata (2-1), a senior, earned his second straight win, allowing one hit in 3 innings. Knobel hurled 2 hitless innings, Cummings allowed an unearned run in 3 innings and Paetznick retired all three batters he faced to close out the victory.

Geoff Lefeber (4-4) took the loss, allowing three runs and six hits in 4 innings. Rob Erickson took the mound for 3 innings and yielded three runs (one earned) and two hits. Charlie Reschke had two of UWM's three hits.

Valpo travels to play Mid-Continent Conference doubleheaders at Southern Utah on Friday and Saturday. The twinbills begin at 1 p.m. CDT each day.

On May 14, the Crusaders will play Indiana at RailCat Stadium in Gary beginning at 6 p.m.