Saturday, May 08, 2004

Cedar City, Utah - Southern Utah scored seven runs in the fifth inning and went on to defeat Valpo 8-1 in the series finale. The Crusaders and Thunderbirds now have identical 7-9 records in Mid-Continent Conference play. Southern Utah won three of the four contests.

After Valpo tied the game at 1-1 in the fifth on Troy Garrett's RBI single, Southern Utah took advantage of an error, two hit by pitches, two walks, two stolen bases and a wild pitch to break the game open with the 7-run fifth. Josh Bolingbroke' two-run triple was one of the Thunderbirds' two hits in the frame.

Ryan Zimmerman (5-4) held Valpo (15-29) scoreless the rest of the way. A freshman, Zimmerman went the distance (9 innings), allowing one run and seven hits, while fanning eight and walking one.

Harvey Yergin (2-4) started on the mound for the Crusaders, allowing three earned runs and six hits, while striking out six and walking four in 6 innings. Adam Paetznick hurled two innings of hitless and scoreless ball.

Garrett, who entered the game in the third inning, added a double and had two of the Crusaders' seven hits.

Bolingbroke (3 RBIs) belted a solo homer to give Southern Utah (13-24) a 1-0 lead in the third.

Valpo plays two consecutive games at RailCats Stadium in Gary. On Tuesday, the Crusaders oppose Northern Illinois at 7 p.m. Valpo then entertains Indiana on Wednesday at 7 p.m.