THE RUNDDOWN
Thanks in part to five errors, DBU dropped the series finale to Valparaiso 9-2 Sunday. Five Crusader runs were unearned as the Patriots were denied their fourth weekend sweep of the season.

The Patriots (27-14, 9-3 Missouri Valley Conference) managed just five hits as Wes Gordon, who entered the game with a 6.86 ERA, was solid for Valpo (15-22, 5-6 MVC). Gordon struck out five Patriots and walked three in a complete game victory. DBU left the bases loaded in the ninth after not getting a runner past second base until the eighth.

The Crusaders capitalized on errors by Tim Millard and Luke Eldred to push across the game's first run in the first inning. A Jameson Hannah error followed by an infield single and a double led to two more Valpo runs in the third.

All five Valparaiso tallies in the fourth inning came with two outs. Sean Boyle recorded two outs but could not get the third, walking a man to load the bases before giving way to MacGregor Hines. A double, a walk, a throwing error by Millard, and a single plated five Crusaders before the inning ended.

The Patriots finally found their way onto the scoreboard in the eighth inning, when Devlin Granberg drove in a pair with a two-out single. Kody Funderburk led off with DBU's first walk of the game. Millard followed with a double. Both came around on Granberg's second hit of the game.

Valpo scored its final run in the eighth on a two-out double by Blake Billinger off Bradley Gonzales.

THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
- The Patriots won the weekend series and have won a program-record nine consecutive series.
- Jordan Martinson and Peyton Sherlin combined for two scoreless innings in relief, allowing no hits and one walk.
- Granberg extended his hitting streak to a team-high 15 games.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
5 - DBU's five errors more than doubled the team's previous season high of two.
5 - The Patriots' five unearned runs allowed were a season high.
4 - Sam Shaikin scored four runs without a base hit in the game.
 
 UP NEXT
DBU returns home to face UT Arlington on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Horner Ballpark.