GARY, Ind. — Isaac Omura extended his spring hitting streak to seven games with the game-winning single in the ninth inning, leading the Gary SouthShore RailCats to a 2-1 win over Valparaiso University Tuesday night at U. S. Steel Yard in an exhibition game to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana.

The RailCats and Crusaders raised $2,724 for the Boys & Girls Clubs, who were well represented in the crowd Tuesday night.  General Admission tickets to the game at U. S. Steel Yard were available for $4, and proceeds from ticket sales were donated to underprivileged youth in the Region.

The RailCats had only three hits in the game, but loaded the bases on two walks and a hit by pitch in the ninth with one out.  With the outfield playing in, Omura lofted a deep fly ball to center over the head of Steven Scoby, scoring Mike Massaro from third.

Valpo scored the game’s first run in the top of the sixth inning when Ranko Ivetic beat out an infield hit that scored Scoby from third base with two outs.  The ‘Cats answered in the bottom of the inning when John Torres scored from third on a Jeff Beachum ground out.

Tom Thornton pitched a scoreless ninth inning to earn the win, one of four RailCats hurlers who did not allow a run.  Zach Groh started and went four innings, allowing only two hits and striking out three.  Alex Rollin and Aaron Cook also put up zeros out of the RailCats bullpen.

Valpo had six hits in the game from six different players.  The Crusaders used eight pitchers in the contest, including starter Austin Siwiec, who tossed a pair of scoreless innings.

The RailCats wrap up the exhibition season Wednesday at 1 p.m. at U. S. Steel Yard against Schaumburg.

The RailCats open the 2009 regular season at home Monday, May 18 at 7 p.m. also against the JackHammers.  Tickets for that game and every game this season are on sale now by stopping by the U. S. Steel Yard Box Office, calling 219.882.2255 or visiting www.railcatsbaseball.com.