Issue date: 4/25/02 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Ben Smidt Senior Chip Marty’s teammates congratulate him after he hit a solo home run in Tuesday’s loss to the Bullfrogs.

Media Credit: Butch McCartney

When freshman right fielder Larry David's two-out, bases-loaded double found the gap in left center in the second inning of Tuesday's game at Carson Park, it looked like the club baseball team was ready to end its season-long slump.

And when sophomore Paul Droegemueller's two-run single led Eau Claire to a 4-run fifth inning to give the team a 9-4 lead, the game looked even more secure.

The Beef River Bullfrogs' patience at the plate paid off in the end, however, and the amateur team came back to claim an 11-9 victory over Eau Claire.

Eau Claire pitchers walked 13 batters in nine innings, allowing the Bullfrogs to outscore Eau Claire 7-0 over the last four innings, dropping the team's record to 0-8 going into Saturday's doubleheader against Marquette.

"We wanted to come out with a win," junior captain Sam Simon said. "But we were able to get some guys in, and we saw a lot of good things. We're heading in the right direction."

Eau Claire dressed 27 players for the game Tuesday, due in large part to the several games canceled because of the weather.

Eau Claire used five pitchers in the game Tuesday, with freshman Jordan Krause getting the start.

Krause gave up three runs in three innings, including a two-run home run to Beef River first baseman Todd Lasher in the first.

Krause said he was trying to keep Lasher off balance with curveballs when he left one hanging.

"I was real surprised it went out," Krause said. "I thought it was going to be a routine fly ball to left. He's a big guy, and he just muscled it out."

Krause struck out five Bullfrogs and walked three in his three-inning stint.

Eau Claire responded to that hit in the third when it loaded the bases with two outs. David cleared the bases with a drive to the gap on the first pitch from Beef River starter Andrew Hanvold.

"It was a high, inside fastball," David said. "I was sitting fastball, so I was expecting it."

David later scored on a double by sophomore Curt Harfiel.

Eau Claire added a run in the third on a leadoff home run by senior Chip Marty. In the fifth, Eau Claire got four runs on only one hit, drawing six walks in the inning.

Beef River had only five hits over the last four innings but scored seven runs to come from behind.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools