May 20, 2010
Box Score
Box Score in PDF Format 
CHICAGO - The UIC baseball team scored eight unanswered runs from the fifth inning on to win a wild ballgame over the visiting Valparaiso Crusaders on Thursday night, 13-10, at Les Miller Field.
The night got off to a late start following a 30-minute rain delay, but the crucial Horizon League game featured 23 runs, 30 hits and six errors, but the strength those eight unanswered tallies, the Flames emerged victorious.
With the game tied at 10 in the bottom of the eighth and two batters already retired, Joe Betcher drew his second base on balls of the evening for UIC (21-27, 14-8 Horizon League). Valparaiso (21-29, 8-9 Horizon League) reliever Tyler Deetjen threw over to first base to keep Betcher, who represented the go-ahead run, honest.
On a regrettable attempt, the lefty appeared to have the freshman frozen in his tracks, but lost his footing on the pickoff attempt and the ball trailed down the wall along the right field line. When Betcher reached third, head coach Mike Dee had him keep running and the relay throw to cut him down was not in time, allowing the designated hitter to score what proved to be the winning run.
Andy Leonard, who was at the plate at the time of Betcher's tally, singled and moved to third on Ty Rubio's base hit up the middle and an error, the fifth of the game, by Valpo. That put two men in scoring position for Steve McGuiggan who ripped a double down the left field line that gave the junior his third and fourth RBI of the game and more importantly, a three-run cushion for UIC.
McGuiggan finished the contest 4-for-5 with three two-baggers and four RBI. Rubio was also 4-for-5 on the night with two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored.
Leonard had three hits, scored a trio of runs and swiped a pair of bases in the triumph.
Brad Riegler was a work horse for the Flames, earning his third win of the season. The fifth-year senior allowed six runs on seven hits in 6.2 IP, but most importantly, he did not allow the Crusaders to cross the plate after their half of the fifth, giving his offense plenty of time to go to work.
The Crusaders mashed four home runs on the night, including two off the bat of centerfielder Kyle Gaedele who led his team with three RBI.
Deetjen took the loss for the Brown and Gold. He falls to 3-3.
With the win, UIC keeps pace with the Milwaukee Panthers in a battle for the second seed in next week's Horizon League Tournament at the U.S. Steel Yard in Gary, Ind. The Panthers knocked off Youngstown State earlier in the day to remain one game ahead in the win column.
UIC and Valparaiso will be right back at The Mill tomorrow for a doubleheader to wrap up the regular season campaign. Game one will get underway at 1:05 p.m.
Tomorrow marks senior day for seven departing student-athletes. Following the conclusion of game two, Steven Humble, Chris Kovacevich, Ryan Meehan, Riegler, John Rosinski, Chris Rutta and Rubio will be honored for their numerous contributions to the UIC baseball program over the past four years.
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