Nunez's Homer Carries A&M Past IPFW, 11-4

NORMAL, Alabama -- Led by senior Julio Nunez's four-RBI day, the Alabama A&M baseball team scored seven runs in the final two innings for an 11-4 win against Indiana Purdue-Fort Wayne, Sunday afternoon at Bulldog Field.

Nunez, who was 4-for-5 on the day, plated two of his three RBI's in a three run bottom of the fourth for the Bulldogs, who move to 2-2 on the season. IPFW falls to 2-2.

Derrick Winter picked up the win on the mound, his first, pitching four innings and striking out two batters in the process.

IPFW would take a 2-0 lead over the Bulldogs in the top of the second inning to open the scoring.  In the bottom half of the same inning, Nunez earned his base with a single to left field and would eventually score on a RBI single from Austin Hulsey.

The Mastodons then scored their final runs of the game in the top half of the fourth inning. IPFW's third baseman Zach Mishler and Tyler Shepherd both scored on a RBI single and a fielder's choice.

Nunez would put the Bulldogs on board in the bottom of the fourth, with a three-run homer to right field, his first, tying the game at four. Nunez batted in Dylan Johnson and Brandon Crutcher who earn his place on base with a hit by pitch to his shoulder.

"We swung the bat very well today," head coach Mitch Hill said. "I thought that we had some good approaches (at the plate)."

"It's great when guys who don't get to play a lot come in to get hits. That makes it fun for everybody," Hill continued. "I'm proud of Julio Nunez he started off very rough, but got out of that first inning. It was just a good day."
Caleb Bowen came in to pitch the fifth and sixth innings. He faced eight batters, striking out one and walking two.

In the bottom half of the fifth inning, Hulsey started off with a walk, then advanced to second on a Cornelius Woods' single.  Justin Folger was then walked to load the bases for the Bulldogs.  IPFW went to the bullpen, but that didn't help their cause as Dylan Johnson's smacked a shot to right center field scoring two runs for the Maroon and White.

Nunez, added his final RBI on the day with a single to score Johnson, giving the Bulldogs a 9-4 lead.

A&M would tack on two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning as Johnson and Crutcher recorded RBI singles, to bring home Allen Smith and Dustin Dhanani.

IPFW starter Cody O'Neal (0-1) took the loss, giving up four runs on five hits before being lifted in the third inning.

A&M will return to the diamond on Feb. 18, when they face the Blazers of the University of Alabama at Birmingham.  First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. at Bulldog field.

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COURTESY ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION