Right fielder Steve Spasojevich broke the DePauw career record for runs scored in the win.

TERRE HAUTE, IND. - The Tigers spoiled Rose-Hulman's historic first night game at Art Nehf field by defeating the host Engineers 11-7 in the first of an important four-game Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference set.

The victory, the Tigers' third straight, lifted their overall record to 17-11 and their SCAC East Division mark to 7-2. Rose-Hulman, ranked 25th in Division III, dropped to 20-7 overall and 3-2 in conference play.

DePauw put together a big five-run second inning as Scott Hamer led off with a single and Nick Horvath tripled to make it 1-0. The three-bagger was the ninth of his career and tied the school record held by Dave Chalmers (1983-86).

Dan Jones reached on a fielder's choice as Rose-Hulman's attempt to nail Horvath at the plate was late. The Engineers then turned a double play, but the Tigers started over with a Jeff Bardonaro walk and John Stephens' first homer of the season over the fence in left center. 

Steve Spasojevich then singled and scored on Jarrett Hunt's double to push the lead to 5-0. The run was Spasojevich's 108th of his career and broke the DePauw record held by Brad Heizman (1997-00).

The Tigers added another two in the fourth as Bardonaro led off the inning with a double. Eric Clementoni then replaced Andy Tochterman on the mound. Spasojevich's one-out single scored Bardonaro. Later, Javair Gillett singled to score Spasojevich from second.

Rose-Hulman rallied in the bottom of the fourth off of starter Daniel Mack as Tochterman walked and advanced to third on Maceo Lewis' single. Saylan Lukas singled in Tochterman. One out later, Drew DeMarco's ground out scored Lewis to cut the DePauw lead to 7-2. Matt King doubled to center scoring Lukas and later scored on Zach Miller's base hit. The fifth run of the frame came after Tevin Wiete doubled to left center to score Miller.

DePauw scored three in the top of the seventh on a two-run single from Dan Jones and a run-scoring double off the bat of Jason Geringer. They then added a run in the eighth as Hunt drew a two-out walk and scored on Gillett's double to right center.

The Engineers added one run each in the eighth and ninth innings for the final 11-7 margin.

Each of the nine DePauw hitters in the lineup had at least one hit with Spasojevich, Gillett and Hamer each banging out two. Miller, Wiete and King each had a pair for the Engineers.

"It was important to get off to a big offensive start," DePauw head coach Matt Walker said. 

"We relaxed with the big lead which we have had a tendency to do this year and they (Rose-Hulman) battled back. Outside of one bad inning, I thought Danny (Mack) displayed the consistency our staff has shown all year."

Mack pitched seven and two-thirds innings in earning his third win against four losses, while Tochterman suffered his third loss against four wins.

The two teams square off in a Saturday doubleheader beginning at Noon in Terre Haute.

NOTES: Steve Spasojevich and Dan Jones each have collected 147 career hits and moved into a tie for second on DePauw's all-time list with Brad Heizman (1997-00). Adam Dill (1996-99) is the all-time leader with 166. After scoring in double digits just once in the first 23 games, the Tigers have scored at least 10 in four of the last five.