NEW ALBANY, Ind. – The IU Southeast baseball team used another comeback to defeat Point Park in the first game of Monday's doubleheader and then rode dominant pitching to close out the sweep.
In game one, the Grenadiers capitalized on another defensive miscue from Point Park. After Clay Benefield walked and Kyle Asher singled, Logan Coughlin hit a fly ball to left that was dropped by Jordan Marchitello allowing both runners to score.
Point Park would respond by scoring one run in the third and three runs in the fourth to take a 4-2 lead. The big blow came from a three-run home run to left from Jake Horew to give Point Park the lead.
For the second time in as many days, a 4-2 advantage was not enough to put the Grenadiers away.
Matt Volz led off the bottom of the fifth with a double and Trent Simpson was hit by a pitch. After a successful sacrifice bunt by Tyler Adams moved them into scoring position, Clay Benefield was intentionally walked to load the bases. Kyle Asher singled to score Volz and then Jacob Harden was hit by a pitch to tie the game. A wild pitch allowed Benefield to score and give IU Southeast the lead.
In the sixth, another missed catch and wild pitch added two more runs for the Grenadiers. Matt Volz reached base on a missed catch and then scored on a misplayed grounder. A wild pitch allowed Jordan Branz to score to make it 7-4.
Alex Schoettmer worked two and two-thirds innings in relief of Ty Simpson to get the win. Jarrod Messex allowed one baserunner in one and a third innings to get a four-out save.
Kyle Asher and Matt Volz each went 2-for-3 in the win.
In game two, the Grenadiers and Pioneers engaged in a pitchers' duel until IU Southeast exploded for five runs in the fifth inning.
Zach Reboulet reached on a walk and advanced to second on a bunt hit by Matt Volz. Trent Simpson homered to left-center to give the Grenadiers the lead.
After Benefield singled and Asher doubled, another fly ball by Coughlin was dropped by a Point Park left fielder, Benefield scored and Asher later scored on another wild pitch to cap off the inning.
Spencer Drake worked two and a third innings in reilef of Brad Ferriell to get his first win of the season. He allowed did not allow a hit and walked a batter while striking out two.
Benefield and Asher each recorded three hits in game two. Benefield went 3-for-4 with a double and Asher went 3-for-3 with two doubles and an RBI.
IU Southeast recorded its first two shutouts against Point Park in school history during this four-game series. They also swept Point Park for the first time. IU Southeast outscored Point Park 23-8 in the series.
The Grenadiers travel to St. Catharine Tuesday at 1 p.m.
