Oct. 9, 2008

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Team Black overcame a 5-3 deficit with three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning for its second walk-off win of the Black and Gold Series on Wednesday. The 6-5 victory improved the Black squad's record to 4-0 in the best-of-five set.

Barrett Arthur led the come-from-behind charge with a leadoff single in the final frame. A walk and a hit batter by Gold reliever Kevin Cahill followed to load the bases for Eric Charles. The redshirt freshman infielder took advantage of the opportunity, tying the game on a two-run single to left.

Left-hander Mike Thoma took over Cahill on the mound but couldn't work out of the jam, surrendering a bunt single to Joe Haase to reload the bases for Team Black. Dominick D'Agata delivered the game-winning hit, a line-drive single to left, in the next at bat to end the contest without an out being record by Gold in the ninth.

The Gold team struck first in the game, scoring three runs in the fourth on four consecutive singles and a wild pitch. Alex Jaffee then added a solo homer in the fifth, his first of the series, and Dan Black chipped in with a two-out RBI double in the sixth to make it 5-0 Gold.

The five-run edge didn't last long, as Team Black plated three runs in the bottom of the sixth on RBI singles by Haase, John Cummins and Barrett Serrato to cut the lead to 5-3. It finished the inning with five base hits, including three after the first two outs had been record, to lay the foundation for the walk-off rally in the ninth.

Gold's Cahill (0-1) was saddled with the loss after allowing six runs on eight hits in three innings of work. Gold starter Matt Bischoff pitched well in a no-decision effort, allowing just three hits over five scoreless innings, while striking out a series-best seven batters.

Offensively, Black's Brandon Haveman continued to terrorize the Gold pitching staff, finishing Wednesday's contest 2 for 4 with a double and two runs scored. He is batting .556 (10 for 18) with two doubles, two triples, an RBI and five runs scored in the four games of the Black and Gold Series.

Charles finished with two hits in four trips to the plate, including the game-tying single in the ninth, while Haase went 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored.

Dan Black led the way at plate for Team Gold, finishing 3 for 5 with the RBI double.

Gold will attempt to salvage one win in the fall tradition when the annual Black and Gold Series concludes on Thursday. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Lambert Field.

Score by Innings                  R   H   E
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Gold.............. 000 311 000 -  5  10   0
Black............. 000 003 003 -  6  13   0
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Black and Gold Series Schedule/Results
Wednesday, October 1 - Team Black, 10-2
Friday, October 3 - Team Black, 5-4
Sunday, October 5 - Team Black, 5-1
Wednesday, October 8 - Team Black, 6-5
Thursday, October 9 - 4 p.m.
All games will be held at Lambert Field and are free to the public.
Standard NCAA rules apply for each of the nine-inning games.

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