March 29, 2008

Game 1 Stats
Game 2 Stats

Contact: Greg Murphy

VALPARAISO, Ind. - What a difference a few hours makes.

After being limited to just four hits in a 7-0 loss to Valparaiso in game one, Cleveland State pounded out 10 hits and used a complete-game effort from Brian Long to earn a 4-2 victory in the nightcap and a split in Saturday afternoons Horizon League doubleheader at Emory G. Bauer Field.

CSU moved to 6-9 overall (1-1 HL) with the split, while Valparaiso is now 6-17, 2-2 HL.

"Their kid threw a great game in the opener," head coach Kevin Kocks said. "Hitting is contagious and we didn't get our first hit until the sixth inning. And if you don't hit, you can't win.

"I was happy with the way we were able to bounce back and take game two," Kocks continued. "Brian Long pitched a great game and it was nice to come back and get a hard fought win. We gave them two runs in the eighth with an error, but I was pleased with the way we kept our composure and shut them down in the ninth."

Valpo's Elliott Gibbs (1-3) earned the win in game one as he went the distance, allowing just four hits, while striking out nine.

Valpo got on the board with a pair of runs in the second inning, using three consecutive singles, including an RBI from Zach Rodeghero. Joe Lazar added an RBI fielder's choice.

The Crusaders plated two more runs in the fourth and another pair in the fifth on a two-run homer by Justin Frane. Rodeghero, who finished 4-for-5 with three RBI in the opener, delivered a solo homer in the sixth for the final run of the game.

Josh Hungerman (1-2) took the loss for CSU. He lasted 4.1 innings, surrendering six runs on nine hits while fanning six. Chris Bauman pitched the final 3.2 innings, giving up one run on four hits with three strikeouts.

"Josh didn't pitch that bad," Kocks said. "He hadn't worked in 11 or 12 days so he was a little rusty, but he also didn't get any run support."

Bobby Cash, Tom Carter, David Hurd and Sam Clyde had one hit each in the opener.

Despite the loss in game one, CSU rebounded for a 4-2 win in the nightcap behind the pitching of Long. The junior righthander pitched a complete game, allowing two unearned runs on four hits with six strikeouts. He retired the Crusaders in order five of the nine innings.

"Brian threw a great game," Kocks said. "He really had command and control of his pitches."

The Vikings spotted Long a 2-0 lead in the first as Kyle Bischof hit a two-run homer. Brad Buell had ledoff the game with a single and also came around to score on Bischof's second homer of the season.

CSU added two more runs in the sixth, the first coming on a leadoff homer from Alex Kerins, his team leading fourth of the season. Bischof followed by being hit by a pitch, stole second and advanced to third on an error by Valpo's catcher.

Bischof came in to score when Matt Madrid, who was making his first start of the season, laid down a sacrifice bunt.

Eight of the nine batters in CSU's order had at least one hit in game two with Kerins and Hurd recording two each.

The two teams will conclude their three-game series on Sunday (March 30) afternoon with a single nine-inning game. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. CST.