May 1, 2010
Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score
AVON, Ohio- The UIC baseball team unleashed an offensive onslaught in the finale of the Flames' doubleheader against Cleveland State at All Pro Freight Stadium on Saturday to clinch a crucial Horizon League series win.
The Flames (16-23, 10-7 Horizon League) walloped the Vikings (10-32, 3-12 Horizon League) 17-6 in the nightcap after Cleveland State used a five-run seventh to rally past UIC, 6-3, in the opener.
Game 2: UIC 17, Cleveland State 6
Chris Rutta's three-run homer in the fourth highlighted a four-run inning, the second of three four-run frames, that broke a 5-5 deadlock and propelled the Flames to a 17-6 victory to cap off Saturday's twinbill.
UIC outscored Cleveland State 12-1 in the game's final six innings after both teams tallied five apiece through three.
The Flames finished the contest with 21 hits, including 11 of the extra-base variety.
UIC's early damage was done in the second, when four UIC runners crossed the plate thanks to four RBI hits. Cleveland State kept up with the Flames by scoring in each of the first three innings, including a game-tying two-run third.
Nathan Orf started the scoring in the decisive fourth inning with the go-ahead RBI double, putting two on for Rutta. The senior slugger crushed an offering from Joey Gradney over the centerfield fence for a three-run jack that pushed UIC to a 9-5 advantage.
The scoring did not stop there for the Flames. Rutta singled in a run in the sixth, and three batters later it was Ryan Meehan's turn to go long as the senior connected on a three-run homer off of Jimmy Cowhy.
UIC put up a pair of runs in both the seventh and the ninth, with Matt Serna accounting for three runs in that stretch on two RBI hits and a run scored on an error.
Rutta went 4-for-5 with five RBI in the game and completed his day 7-for-9 at the dish.
Brad Riegler allowed just three earned runs in 6.2 innings of relief to get the win.
Game 1: Cleveland State 6, UIC 3
Cleveland State scored five times in the bottom of the seventh to erase UIC's two-run lead and defeat the Flames in the day's opener, 6-3.
Rutta went 3-for-4 at the plate, while starting pitcher Tim Suminski allowed three runs in 6.1 innings for a no-decision.
UIC broke a 1-1 tie in the fifth on Serna's RBI double and John Rosinski's sacrifice fly.
Suminski allowed just two hits after the first inning up until the fateful seventh. Tom Carter led off the inning with a double, and two batters later Suminski gave up an RBI single to Bob Suitca that elicited head coach Mike Dee to summon Matt Salemi from the bullpen.
After Salemi issued a walk to Alex Gnezda, Jason Hadistch hit a two-run double into right field to put the Vikings in front. Two batters later Chuck Gasti hit a two-run shot over the rightfield wall to give Cleveland State a three-run cushion.
UIC put a pair on with one away in the top of the ninth, but the Flames' strongest threat to rally was quashed when reliever Kris Hall induced a game-ending double-play grounder off the bat of Rutta.
Cleveland State recorded one of the rarest of baseball feats in the sixth when Steve McGuiggan lined into a triple play. McGuiggan hit a line drive to Carter at short as Ty Rubio and Andy Leonard were caught running on the pitch, giving the Vikings time to erase both runners at first and second.
The Flames return home to host Trinity International at Les Miller Field this Tuesday, May 4 at 7:05 p.m.
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