March 28, 2004

Box Score

TERRE HAUTE, IND. - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee used a potent offense and excellent relief pitching to claim a 10-9 victory over Indiana State University here Sunday (March 28). The win allowed UWM to sweep all three games of the weekend series while improving its overall record to 7-8. Indiana State dropped to 6-12 on the season and lost all three games after entering the weekend on a four-game winning streak. Jed Dolske (1-1) earned the win in relief for the Panthers while Brian Woods (1-2) took the loss for ISU.

The two teams traded runs in the first inning before the host Sycamores touched UWM starter Sam Jansen for five, third inning runs. Rance Fosdick provided the big blow with a grand slam to right field while a Ryan Bond triple scored Jereme Hatler to give the hosts a 6-1 lead.

UWM's Horizon League leading offense stormed right back and scored six, two-out runs in the top of the fourth en route to a 7-6 lead. Matt Alexander, the league's leading hitter, started the inning with a single before being erased on a Zak Rivera fielder's choice. Joe Nowicki then flied out to rightfield, setting up the impressive two-out rally. Ben Stanczyk moved Rivera to third with a double to left field before Ross McCoy drove home Rivera as he reached on an error by ISU's Jake Eigsti. Matt Curran continued his red-hot hitting with a two-run double which was then followed by a Jeremy Wilson RBI two-base hit. Second baseman Charlie Reschke finished the Panther rally with a two-run home run, his third long ball of the season.

Milwaukee added two more runs in the fifth inning with Alexander once again leading the charge. The senior drilled his sixth double of the season to lead off the inning which was followed by Rivera being hit by a pitch. After Nowicki and Stanczyk both flied out, Ross McCoy drove home both Alexander and Rivera with a single to left field.

The Panthers added an important insurance run in the sixth and took a 10-8 lead into the ninth. Hard working reliever Jed Dolske began the frame and allowed a run before giving way to Stanczyk. Stanczyk, last season's closer, came on with runners on first and second and two outs and promptly shut the door when he caught Eigsti looking to end the game.

Dolske allowed just one earned run and three hits in four innings of relief work to earn the win while Stanczyk faced the one batter in notching his first save of the season. Alexander led all players with four hits in five at bats while scoring a run and driving one in. Reschke finished the game 2-4 with a double, homer, two runs and two RBI while Curran and McCoy each drove home two.

UWM will come back to Milwaukee for a day before heading to Lincoln, Neb. for a pair of single games on Tuesday (March 30) and Wednesday (March 31). The Panthers will face the Cornhuskers of Nebraska who are currently ranked No. 20 in the most recent NCBWA Top 35 Poll. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. on Tuesday.