THE RUNDOWN
The DBU Patriots swept Valparaiso with an 8-3 win in the series finale on Sunday. The Pats beat the Beacons for the 12th straight time for the second-longest win streak over an MVC rival in school history. DBU (30-17, 9-6) has now won five straight and returns to Dallas for the final homestand of the regular season. 

Blayne Jones and Ryan Wrobleski left the yard in an improved outing from the offense. But another incredible showing from the bullpen led the Pats to victory, as Brady Rose, Ryan Johnson, and Zane Russell combined to allow no runs and a single base hit in 4.0 innings of shutdown relief. 

Blayne Jones opened the second inning with a left-field single. Luke Heefner joined him at first base on a throwing error, and Nate Rombach drew a walk to load the bases. Valpo starting pitcher Griffin McCluskey then lost command and issued a free pass to Nate Humphreys that gifted the Pats a 1-0 lead.

With Cole Moore at first base after a right-field single, Blayne Jones crushed a two-run homer in the third. Luke Eldred would strike out the side in the home half of the inning as DBU began to pull away. 

For the third time in as many games, the Pats posted a crooked number in the fifth frame. With the bases loaded once more, Luke Heefner drilled a two-run single into right field. Andrew Benefield immediately answered with a sacrifice fly that scored Blayne Jones and gave DBU its largest lead of the game at 6-0.  

Valparaiso (14-28, 3-12) punched back with a three-spot of its own in the bottom of the inning. Leadoff man Jake Kapers was hit by a pitch and scored on an RBI triple. The damage escalated with an RBI double that was drilled into left field and peaked on a groundout that cut the Patriots' lead in half, 6-3.

The Pats added insurance in the seventh and eighth innings. After Brady Rose stranded two base runners in the sixth, Ryan Wrobleski added to the lead with a solo shot in the seventh. The fourth-year sophomore lined a 2-0 offering over the left-field wall for his eighth home run of the year.  

The action ended with an RBI single from Jace Grady in the eighth inning as Ryan Johnson and Zane Russell combined to go nine up, nine down to cement the 8-3 victory.

THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW 
- At 9-6 in conference play, DBU moves into sole possession of third place in the MVC standings. 
- The DBU bullpen allowed no runs in 11.0 innings of relief during the series sweep. 
- Blayne Jones finishes the week 9-16 at the plate with five RBI. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 
7 - Luke Eldred tossed a season-high seven strikeouts. 
15 - Eldred also earned his 15th career win. He ties Patriot legends Ryan Millard, Chris Haney, & Dominic Hamel for the 10th most in DBU's DI history.
6 - Miguel Santos hit his sixth triple of the season, a mark that's currently tied for the second-most in the country. 

ON DECK 
DBU plays host to No. 3 Oklahoma State on Tuesday, May 10 at 6:30 p.m.  Read Full Article