Walker settled down and allowed only one hit and one earned run over his final four innings, giving way to Jim Combs in the eighth. Combs didn't have the same luck, struggling to close out the victory for DePauw. Leading 12-8, Combs game up singles to Baloski and Matt Wilhelm in the ninth, and threw away an attempt at a double play. The story of the afternoon was probably the weather. Under frigid conditions, baseball is not the most enjoyable or easy game to play.
Grounders are tougher to field, baseballs are harder to pitch and bats are harder to swing.
The problem is, Wabash has struggled with similar difficulties throughout the year. Wabash has struggled with defense the entire year. Through 20 games, Wabash has allowed an astounding 2.2 unearned runs a game. It is very difficult for a starting pitcher to throw well under these circumstances. The strain shows as Wabash has a 4.85 ERA on the year as well.