April 8, 2008

Box Score

Mount Pleasant, Mich.- Jason Ganek hit a go-ahead three-run homer in the top of the ninth, but Central Michigan tied the game in its half of the ninth and won in the 10th on Brendan Emmett's RBI single in the UIC baseball team's 8-7 loss at Theunissen Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.

The Flames (18-10) trailed 5-3 heading into the ninth, but UIC roared back with four runs during the frame. Tony Altavilla led off the inning with a double, and Andy Leonard followed with an RBI single that cut the deficit down to one.

After Rafael Garcia singled to move Leonard over to third, Ganek drilled a Devan Kline offering over the rightfield wall that changed a 5-4 disadvantage into a 7-5 lead for the visitors.

But the Chippewas (12-16) answered with a pair of two-out runs in their half of the ninth off of Don Phillis. After retiring the first two batters, Phillis gave up a single to Tyler Stovall before Sean Hoorelbeke hit a two-run blast that evened the game.

It was off to extra innings for the second consecutive game for the Flames. UIC threatened with a pair aboard with two out during the top of the 10th, but Mike Nixon ended the inning by striking out Ganek.

Cody Allen doubled with one out in the bottom of the 10th, and Emmett hit a base knock to left center that drove in the winning run.

Garcia went 3-for-4 at the dish.

The Flames return home to host Rockford at Les Miller Field on Wednesday beginning at 7:05 p.m.