April 13, 2005

Box Score

MILWAUKEE, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee baseball team built an 8-1 advantage through three innings and coasted to a 12-4 win over Valparaiso Wednesday evening at Miller Park. After falling down 1-0 in the first, the Panthers (12-13) scored five runs in the first, two in the second and one more in the third to put the game out of reach.

Milwaukee got on the board early, taking a 5-1 lead in the bottom of the first inning. The first five batters of the frame scored, as junior Mike Goetz led off with a walk. Junior Jeremy Wilson plated Goetz with a double down the left field line. After a walk to junior Zak Rivera, junior Joe Nowicki hit an RBI double and sophomore Nick Wichser followed suit with a two-run single. After a double by senior Charlie Reschke, senior Brooks Graff hit a sacrifice fly to score Wichser.

Nowicki made it 7-1 in the second inning with his team-leading fifth home run of the season, while UWM added another run in the third for an 8-1 lead. Reschke reached on an error to lead off the inning, and stole second. After a ground out put him on third, he scored on a wild pitch.

Valparaiso cut the Panthers' lead to 8-3 with two runs in the sixth inning. After the first two batters reached base to lead of the inning, Valpo benefited from a pair of RBI ground outs to pull within five.

UWM struck for four more run in the seventh, pushing its lead to nine at 12-3. Reschke led off the inning with his second double of the game, then stole third base. After a walk to Graff, junior Matt Curran hit an RBI single. Two batters later, freshman Beau Padfield walked and senior Blake Kangas hit a two-run, pinch-hit single. Senior Shane Davis then collected a one-run single to score Padfield.

Sophomore Mike Rauwerdink pitched three effective innings in the start. He allowed just two hits and one run, while striking out two. Junior Rick Cavaiani (1-3) hurled two scoreless frames for his first win in a Panther uniform. He struck out three and allowed just two hits.

Four more UWM pitchers combined to complete the game, throwing one inning apiece and allowing just three Valpo runs.

The Panthers are now 6-1 all-time at Miller Park, and have one more game scheduled at the Major League facility this season. UWM's May 8 game with Wright State will be played at Miller Park, following the Milwaukee Brewers vs. New York Mets. Game time is approximately 5 p.m.

In the meantime, Milwaukee returns to action this weekend with a four-game league series at UIC. The Panthers and Flames kick off the weekend with a game on Friday at 7 p.m.