May 8, 2004

Box Score

DAYTON, OHIO - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee commited six errors in two games and dropped a doubleheader to Wright State University in Horizon League baseball action here Saturday (May 8). UWM fell 5-0 in the opener and allowed eight unearned runs in falling 10-6 in game two. The Panthers are now 20-24 overall and 8-10 in league play while Wright State improves to 19-27 overall and 8-8 in league play.

In game one Brooks Graff and Matt Alexander led off the game with singles but Charlie Reschke lined into a double play at first. After that rally the Panthers managed just three more hits while going 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position.

Wright State scored a run in the first, two in the second and two more in the sixth in posting the shutout. Brian Shoup doubled to left with two outs in the first and scored on a single by Brian Vickers. In the second WSU scored two unearned runs on a two hits, two errors and an error by Ben Stanczyk.

The Panthers had three chances to score but couldn't push home any runs. Ross McCoy doubled with one out in the second but was left stranded. Then, in the fifth, Joe Nowicki singled and Blake Kangas walked with one out. However, Sam Jansen grounded out and Brooks Graff flied out to center to end the inning. In the sixth Stanczyk doubled to left but could not score as Zak Rivera fouled out to end the inning.

Aaron Bushong (2-6) pitched a complete game but took the loss while allowing nine hits, five runs (three earned), four walks and three strikeouts in six innings. Chris Coleman (6-4) kept UWM off balance all game and allowed just five hits with five punchouts in his seven innings.

Game two ended in dramatic fashion as a Ross Vagedes walk-off grand slam capped off a six run bottom of the seventh to give the Raiders the come-from-behind victory. The Panthers grabbed 4-0 and then 6-4 leads but could not overcome sloppy defense in the fourth and seventh innings.

Milwaukee pounded out six hits in a four-run second inning to go ahead 4-0. McCoy led off the frame with a triple and scored on a single by Charlie Reschke. After a pair of strikeouts Jansen, Matt Alexander, and Stanczyk each provided RBI base hits.

The lead didn't last, however, as the Raiders scored four runs in the bottom of the fourth, three of which were unearned. The Raiders got doubles from Bryan Vickers and Dan Biedenhard and a two-run triple from Justin Wilson to tie the game after a Blake Kangas error led to three unearned runs.

The Panthers went back ahead 6-4 with solo runs in the sixth and seventh innings thanks to RBI singles by Rivera and Nowicki. Unfortunately for Milwaukee the lead didn't last as things fell apart in the bottom of the seventh. Beidenhard singled to lead off the inning, chasing UWM starter Robert Michalkiewicz from the game. Closer Jed Dolske entered and gave up a single to Wilson. Ross Oeder reached on a Reschke error and, following a sac bunt, Reschke committed his second error of the inning, allowing the tying run to score. After an intentional walk to Vickers Vagedes ripped Dolske's first pitch over the left field wall for the game-winning blast.

Dolske (3-4) took the loss for UWM, allowing five unearned runs in one-third of an inning. Michalkiewicz worked six innings and got 15 ground ball outs while allowing two runs (one earned) and six base hits. Matt Crawford (2-3) got two outs in the top of the seventh to claim the win. Alexander went 3-for-4 in the game with an RBI while Stanczyk and Reschke each added two hits apiece.

The two teams will play the finale of the four-game series here Sunday (May 9) at 11 a.m.