Blue Knights Upset UD Flyers, 5-4
Mike Bezak three-run homer propels Urbana to victory
XENIA, Ohio (April 14, 2008) – The Blue Knight baseball team edged out NCAA Division I Dayton for a 5-4 non-conference victory Monday night at Athletes in Action Stadium.

Urbana (17-12) struck first, notching a run in the opening frame. Sophomore Matt Murphy opened the game with a walk and junior Matt Netherly also drew a walk to get two on with no outs. Senior Jeff Hartwig put down a bunt to move both runners, while senior John Lindquist manufactured the run with an RBI on a hit-and-run.

The Flyers (18-16) wasted no time taking the lead when they got their chance to bat, going up 2-1 in the bottom of the first. Dayton added to the lead with an unearned run in the fifth to take a 3-1 lead heading into the sixth.

After a Lindquist walk and a single to center field by senior Mike Heck, that set the stage for the momentum swing of the game. Senior Mike Bezak (pictured left) cranked out a three-run homerun over the left field fence to give Urbana a 4-3 advantage.

Heck came through for the Blue Knights again in the seventh inning, driving in the game-winning run with a single to centerfield, allowing Netherly, who reached base by a throwing error, to cross the plate.

The Blue Knight pitching staff did its job, holding the Flyers to just five hits. Senior Brock Bender earned the start and struck out four in five innings of work. Junior Mike Blanton (4-3) picked up the win, allowing just two hits and striking out one in 3 1/3 innings on the mound. Blanton came in relief in the sixth with two outs and the bases loaded. He got the batter to fly out to right field. In the ninth inning, he got the first batter to ground out, and then gave up a single, which was followed by a ground ball double play, executed perfectly by short stop Matt Murphy.

The Blue Knights return to American Mideast Conference action when they host Rio Grande this Wednesday, April 16 at Blue Knight Field at 1 p.m.

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