May 27, 2011
Box Score
DAYTON, Ohio - In a high-scoring affair which both teams combine for 20 runs on 33 hits, the UIC baseball team fell to the Valparaiso Crusaders in its opening game at the Horizon League Championship, 11-9.
The Flames (27-25) trailed early 5-1, but a four-run fourth inning highlighted by Steve McGuiggan's triple and Alex De LaRosa's double gave Mike Dee's team a 7-5 lead. The advantage was short lived, however as Valpo (24-20) plated two in the fifth and one in the sixth to retake the lead.
With De LaRosa aboard in the bottom of the seventh, UIC jumped back into the driver's seat when when Jason Ganek uncorked his team-high eighth home run of the season over the left field wall to give his team a 9-8 lead.
The Crusaders charged back once again, however, scoring three times in the eighth and ninth innings off a pair of Flames relievers to capture the lead and eventually, the ballgame, 11-9.
De LaRosa and Ganek each had three hits in the contest, while Ganek tied a game high with four RBI. McGuiggan's fourth-inning triple set a new school record for hits in a career with 244. The previous record was held by J.P. Moran.
Joey Begel received a no decision for UIC, while Eric Wyman took the loss. Justin Frane, who made his first appearance since April 30, came on in relief and earned his third win of the season for Valpo.
The Flames will be back later tonight in an elimination game against No. 3 Milwaukee at approximately 8:30 p.m. or 45 minutes prior to the conclusion of the game between No. 1 Wright State and No. 6 Youngstown State. UICFlames.com will host a live interactive blog of the game.
