The Valparaiso University baseball team incurred a 13-0 setback on Friday at Memphis to open the 2022 season.

How It Happened

• Starting pitcher Trent Turzenski (Burlington, Wis. / Burlington) worked around an error and a hit batter in the opening inning to escape a two-on, one-out jam unscathed. He froze a Memphis batter for an inning-ending punchout.
• Memphis scratched out a run with a two-out hit in the bottom of the second, then did the same in the last of the third. The two-out hit in the third was a bloop single to right that made it 2-0. The Valpo defense had three opportunities to turn double plays in the first three frames, but were unable to turn two on each occasion.
• After Turzenski worked a 1-2-3 fourth, Valpo threatened in the fifth thanks to a pop fly that dropped on the left side of the infield and a walk, but the Beacons stranded a pair.
• Memphis expanded the lead to five with a three-run fifth that included a two-run homer by Logan Kohler. The Valpo bullpen took over in the sixth and the Tigers tacked on three more, two of which were unearned.
• Valpo inserted righty Grant Jablonski (Mishawaka, Ind. / Mishawaka) for the seventh and he retired the side in order, working the second 1-2-3 inning of the day by Valpo pitching.
• Memphis added five in the eighth.

Inside the Game

• Valpo’s lone hit was accounted for by Kyle Schmack (Wanatah, Ind. / South Central), an infield single in the top of the first.
• The other Beacons to reach base were Alex Thurston (Fowler, Ind. / Benton Central), who worked a walk, and Alex Ryan (Lake Mills, Wis. / Lakeside Lutheran), who was hit by a pitch.  
• Turzenski was charged with five runs on seven hits while striking out three in five innings to take the defeat.
• Righty Josh Cottrill (Pewuakee, Wis. / Pewuakee) made his collegiate debut in the bottom of the eighth on the mound. Second baseman Adam Brauch (Waukee, Iowa / Dowling Catholic) also saw his first collegiate action after redshirting last season.
• Alabama transfer Connor Shamblin started on the mound for Memphis and struck out seven while issuing one walk and permitting one hit over six shutout innings to earn the win. The Tiger bullpen faced the minimum over the final three innings.

Up Next

Valpo (0-1) will continue the season-opening series with Memphis on Saturday at 2 p.m. Links to live audio and stats are available on ValpoAthletics.com.