Click here for box score of EKU-IPFW game!

Click here for play-by-play of EKU-IPFW game!

RICHMOND, Ky. – Sophomore Jayson Langfels and junior Joey Stevens drove in a combined eight runs Friday afternoon to lead the Eastern Kentucky University baseball team over IPFW, 15-8, in the second game of the Logan’s Roadhouse Leadoff Tournament. It was EKU skipper Jason Stein’s first win as a collegiate head coach.

After IPFW (1-1) jumped out to a quick 6-2 lead, the Colonels tied it in the bottom of the second with four runs, all of which came with two outs. Senior Matt Davis drew a two-out walk to start the rally and was brought home by an RBI single to left center from junior Anthony Ottrando. After senior Tyler Rehmel was plunked by a pitch, Langfels plated Ottrando with a double into the gap in left center. Stevens then finished the scoring with a double of his own that brought home Ottrando and Langfels.

After starting pitcher Chris Hord blanked the Mastodons in the top half of the third, EKU (1-2) scored six in their half of the inning to blow the game open. Rehmel started the scoring with a single through the left side that plated two. Langfels then smashed a two-run triple – his second in as many games – over the center fielder’s head. Freshman Alan Abreu concluded the hit parade with a double down the left field line that scored two and pushed the Colonels’ advantage to 12-6.

IPFW cut the lead to five, 13-8, in the seventh inning; however, with men on second and third and no outs, senior reliever Alex Napier struck out three consecutive batters to escape the jam and preserve the EKU victory.

Hord went 4.2 innings and allowed seven runs (only five of which were earned) on nine hits. He also struck out four batters. Sophomore Macon Smith (1-0) picked up the win after relieving Hord in the fourth and pitching through the fifth, holding the Mastodons scoreless and allowing just one hit. Napier allowed a run and two hits in his inning of work, but also struck out three batters. Freshmen Greg Terry and Matt Harris pitched the eighth and ninth innings, respectively, and held IPFW without a run.

Langfels finished the day a home run shy of the cycle, going 3-for-6 with four RBI and two runs scored. Stevens batted 2-for-3 with four RBI and a run scored. Rehmel also delivered a fine day at the plate, going 2-for-5 with two RBI and four runs scored.

Sophomore Chad Nielsen (0-1) got the loss for IPFW, allowing seven runs on six hits in just an inning of work.

Offensively, the Mastodons were led by senior Chris Gottschall and junior Shaun VanDriessche, both of whom went 3-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored.

The Colonels return to action tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. when they host Buffalo (3-2) in the third game of the Logan’s Roadhouse Leadoff Tournament.

IPFW 12, Buffalo 11

Click here for box score of the IPFW-UB game!

Click here for play-by-play of the IPFW-UB game! 

In the first game of the Logan’s Roadhouse Leadoff Tournament, IPFW staged a furious rally against Buffalo and defeated the Bulls, 12-11, with a walk-off home run from junior Jordan Kohler in the bottom of the ninth.

A three-run blast by junior Brad Agustin highlighted an eight-run sixth for Buffalo that gave the Bulls a seemingly safe seven run lead, 10-3.

However, IPFW got one back in their half of the sixth and then scored three in the seventh to pull within three of the Bulls. A two-run single by Gottschall capped a four-run eighth for the Mastodons that gave IPFW a temporary lead, 11-10.

Buffalo, however, tied the score in the ninth with an RBI double down the right field line by senior Chris Ciesla. That run set the stage for Kohler’s dramatic ninth inning blast that send IPFW to victory in its first game of the 2009 season.

Junior Andrew Emge (1-0) picked up the win for IPFW while senior Zach Anderson (1-2) received the loss for Buffalo.