April 5, 2012
Final Stats 
CHICAGO - In its second consecutive extra-inning four-hour game, the UIC baseball team dropped a Horizon League contest at home against Valparaiso by a final score of 8-7 in 15 frames. The loss gives UIC an 11-15 record on the season and a 5-5 mark in the conference.
Joey Begel and Chris Hoffman logged the majority of work on the mound for the Flames as Begel received the nod. He lasted 7.1 innings, while giving up five earned runs and four hits. Hoffman, who was charged with the loss, scattering 10 hits on just two earned runs.
Alex Lee totaled a team-high four hits on seven at-bats, driving in 2 RBI. Alex De LaRosa did his part going 3-for-6 as Alex Grunenwald hit 2-for-4.
Valparaiso jumped in front early with two runs in the first inning as centerfielder Chris Manning collected both RBIs with a single to left field. The Crusaders tallied another score in the top of the third inning on an error at first base by Alex Grunenwald, giving Valpo the 3-0 lead.
The Flames took a run back in the bottom of the fourth inning as catcher Alex Jurich began the frame with a single up the middle. Lee drove him home on the next at bat with a double down the right field line, cutting the Crusaders edge down to 3-1.
UIC gained the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning as junior Joe Betcher kicked things by reaching first base on a hit pitch and then stole second. Jon Ryan plated Betcher on a two-bagger to left field and was eventually sent home on a double from Lee. Valpo made a pitching change at that point and brought in right-hander Ben Mahar. Grunenwald welcomed him to the game with a single to right field, moving Lee across home plate and giving UIC the 4-3 advantage.
The Flames' lead didn't last very long as Valparaiso knotted the score at 4-4 with a run in the top of the seventh frame. Steven Yoder notched an RBI single that sent Grant Yoder home.
UIC regained the lead in the bottom of the seventh inning as Nick Addison started the stanza with a bunt single and advanced to second on a groundout by De LaRosa. Boss then slapped an infield single to the shortstop which sent Addison to third. Jon Ryan scored Addison on a single down the right field line and the next batter Alex Jurich advanced Boss across the dish as he reached first on a throwing error by the VU shortstop. The Flames held a 6-4 edge going into the top of the eighth inning.
Valpo forged ahead and deadlocked the score at 6-6 in the top of the eighth with two runs on two hits and taking advantage of a throwing error by the UIC pitcher.
The Flames responded with a tally in the bottom half of the eighth frame as De LaRosa recorded an RBI single to left field that pushed Ryan Shober across home plate, giving UIC the 7-6 lead.
Valparaiso forced the contest into extra innings with a game-tying run in the ninth inning. Five frames of extra baseball ensued with zero scores from either side. That's when the Crusaders posted the game-winning run in the top of the 15 inning and held the Flames scoreless in the bottom half to claim victory.
Friday's matchup will commence at 6:05 p.m. CT with freshman Brain Evak taking the mound for UIC.
