Flames fall to Valpo in tournament

Ian Lewandowski pitched his first career complete game Friday. Photo: Steve Woltmann

The No. 2-seeded baseball team (24-27) concluded its season Friday with a 1-0 loss against No. 3 Valparaiso (25-27)  in Game 6 of the Horizon League Tournament at Kapco Park in Mequon, Wisconsin.

Sophomore pitcher Ian Lewandowski tossed his first career complete game, but the Flames managed just four hits and stranded eight on base throughout the contest.

Valpo scored its lone run in the fourth inning off an RBI-single from Crusader catcher Jake Hanson.  The sophomore finished the day with a game-high 3-of-4 from the plate.

The Flames had chances to score with their best opportunity coming in the fifth frame.  Redshirt junior Zenon Kolakowski was UIC’s first base runner of the inning with a single to left field and was pushed to second after freshman Cody Bohanek was walked.  John Coen juiced the bases on a hit-by-pitch, but the next batter, freshman Mickey McDonald, flied out to right. UIC had a runner in scoring position in each of the final three innings.

Valpo pitcher Ellis Foreman was credited with the win as he lasted eight frames and recorded five strikeouts. Senior Karch Kowalczyk came in for Foreman in the ninth and picked up his 11 save of the year.

The Flames finish the 2014 campaign ranked 11th in the nation in on-base percentage (.393), 12th in batting average (.304) and 15th in runs per game (6.6).