FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Western Illinois outhit IPFW on Saturday and the Mastodons also committed four errors. Zach Sterling (5-3) recorded 13 strikeouts but was saddled with the loss as IPFW took the first of what was supposed to be a doubleheader, 5-4. Heavy rains entered the area during game two but not before Bryan Jordan was able to double home two runs. The suspended game will resume at 10 a.m. (CST). The Purple Army now sits at 9-10 in Summit League play and 17-30 overall. IPFW improves to 13-28 and 8-11 in league play.
It appeared to be more of the same as Western put a three spot on the board in the second inning. Tom Lilja reached via error before John Koszulinski squeezed single inside the right field line and Lilja was able to move over to third. Jordan continued his impressive series with a sacrifice fly RBI. Danny Marcuzzo reached on a throwing error by the pitcher before Ryan Cowhey smacked a single through the left side.
Dan Dispensa reach on another error charged to IPFW and Austin Cowen put down a perfect sacrifice bunt. Lilja drove home the run with a single to center field.
IPFW's offense woke up from its Friday slumber to storm back with five runs in the three innings to take the lead. A two RBI single from Will Faulkner brought home two runs in the third. Two hits and a Leatherneck error powered the IPFW's fifth inning where the Mastodons scored three runs to move ahead of Western Illinois for good.
The Leathernecks threatened in the eighth as Koszulinski and Jordan both singled. However, IPFW worked out of the jam and went on to hold onto the one-run lead.
Sterling struck out 13 in seven innings and allowed four earned runs. Sterling is the first Leatherneck to record double-digit punch outs since Mark Dibernardo on May 12, 2009 against NDSU.
Travis Pedersen tossed a scoreless inning and did not allow a hit.
Cowhey drove in two runs while Lilja and Jordan both contributed an RBI to the cause. Chris Giglio turned in a 2-for-4 performance.
The finale will resume at 11 a.m. (CST) in the bottom of the first inning with Western Illinois up 2-0. Ryan Wachholder was on the mound for the Leathernecks and allowed a lead off walk before the game was suspended.
Be sure to tune in to the broadcast on Rocky Vision beginning at 10:45 (CST).
