Hudnall Turns in Record-Breaking Performance
RIO GRANDE, Ohio (April 23, 2008) – The Blue Knight baseball team split an American Mideast Conference doubleheader at the University of Rio Grande Wednesday at Bob Evans Field. Urbana took the series, however, 3-1. The Blue Knights used a record-breaking performance to win game one, 3-0, but fell short in the night cap, losing 4-3.

Urbana’s Jaeson Hudnall (8-1) overpowered the Redmen in picking up the complete game one-hit shutout.  Hudnall struck out 10, extending his AMC-leading strikeout total to 76, breaking an Urbana University season record set in 1998. Kyle Miller struck out 70 that year. Hudnall (pictured left) also tied a Blue Knight single season record for wins with eight. He joins three other former Blue Knight pitchers to accomplish the feat, including UU pitching coach Bret Miller, who had eight wins in 2000. The blanking of Rio Grande is Hudnall's third shutout this year and third consecutive game that he has given up just one hit. 

In game one, Urbana (23-14, 13-6 AMC) was led offensively by Michael Heck who went 2-for-3 with an RBI.  Jeff Hartwig also had an RBI while going 1-for-3 at the plate.

The Blue Knights jumped out to a 2-0 lead in game two, as Heck delivered a two-run single in the top of the first inning. Errors proved costly as Rio battled back with three runs in the third, taking the lead for good. Rio also scored a run on a Blue Knight error and successfully pulled off a double steal with Fuller stealing home as sophomore right fielder Chris Mahon swiped second base.

The Redmen built the lead to 4-2 with an insurance run in the fourth. Urbana cut the deficit in half with a run in the sixth inning on a sacrifice fly by sophomore Kris Nealeigh. The Blue Knights blanked in the seventh as Rio retired the side.

Urbana plays at Walsh University this Saturday, April 26 at 1 p.m. in a single nine-inning American Mideast Conference bout, making up a rain date from April 4.

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