MVC BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME 11 – No. 2 DBU 7, No. 7 VALPARAISO 5

DALLAS, TEXAS – Host and No. 2 DBU pulled out a 7-5 win over No. 7 Valparaiso Friday. The Patriots advance to take on No. 3 Bradley Saturday at 11 AM (CT), while the Crusaders have been eliminated from the tournament.

No. 2 DBU overcame a rocky start to eliminate No. 7 Valparaiso from the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament with a 7-5 victory Wednesday. Luke Bandy's two-run home run in the fifth inning gave the Patriots a lead the bullpen would keep on lockdown.

DBU (38-18) walked the first four Valparaiso batters of the game and fell behind 4-0 before coming to the plate. A solo homer gave Valpo (19-34) a 5-0 lead in the third inning before the Patriots mounted their comeback.

Garrett Wolforth came to the plate with one out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the third and doubled down the right field line, driving in two. Kody Funderburk followed with a two-run double of his own to center field.

Luke Eldred came on in relief to start the fourth inning and proceeded to keep the Crusaders scoreless through 4.2 innings with five hits and six strikeouts, walking none.

Bandy's blast came with one out and Wolforth at first base. He hammered a 2-1 offering over the berm behind the Patriot bullpen to give his team a 6-5 lead.

After Blayne Jones' seventh-inning RBI single concluded the scoring, Jarod Bayless came on with two on and two out in the eighth inning and finished the game for his fourth save of the year.

DBU improved to 38-18 on the season, while Valparaiso ends its season at 19-34.