Feb. 24, 2006

Box Score

EVANSVILLE, Ind. - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee baseball team scored five runs in the final three innings on Friday, only to fall in extra innings of its game against Evansville, losing 6-5. The Panthers (1-4) scored twice in the seventh and three times in the ninth, only to see the Purple Aces (5-2) push the winning run across with two outs in the bottom of the 10th on a check-swing base hit that landed inches inside the foul line.

"That was a tough way to lose a game," assistant head coach Scott Doffek said. "We squandered way too many opportunities early in the game. But, it was good to see the guys fight back."

The Panthers tied the game in the top of the ninth on a two-run single by senior Matt Curran. Sophomore Grant Berkovitz singled with one out, stole second base and advanced to third on an error by the catcher. After junior Rob Brockel walked, senior Jeremy Wilson singled in Berkovitz. A failed pickoff attempt advanced the runners to second and third before Curran ripped a single up the middle to tie the game.

The Panther defense sent the game into extra innings, gunning down a Purple Ace baserunner at the plate in a rundown in the bottom of the ninth. Milwaukee nearly won it in the 10th, only to have Evansville return the favor with an out at home plate. After a single, error and a walk loaded the bases with one out, Brockel sent a line drive to right field. However, the Evansville relay throw got away from the catcher, but pitcher J.R. Carbonell backed up the play with a diving flip back to the plate to nail sophomore Jesse Hart for the inning-ending double-play.

The Purple Aces then won it in their half of the frame. After a lead-off walk was advanced to second, a ground ball out advanced the winning run to third. Pinch-hitter Eric Jones then sent the Purple Aces home with the win, singling down the left field line on a check-swing that came on an 0-2 count for the walk-off base hit.

Held scoreless until the seventh by Evansville's Adam Rogers, the Panthers finally broke through by leading off the frame with three-straight hits. Senior Joe Nowicki singled, Berkovitz doubled and Brockel added an RBI single to right to make it 5-1 at the time. Junior Kyle Silver added an RBI before Evansville induced senior Mike Goetz into the inning-ending double play.

Evansville struck for two runs each in the second and third innings off UWM junior starter Mike Rauwerdink to build a 4-0 advantage. They added another in the sixth before the Panthers started their comeback. Rauwerdink went 6.0 innings, allowing all five runs while striking out four.

Senior Rick Cavaiani made his first appearance of the season in the seventh, striking out two batters in the frame. A walk and a hit batter got him in trouble in the eighth before senior Jed Dolske came on to induce the inning-ending double play to get out of the jam.

Berkovitz finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored, while Hart also added two of the Panthers 11 base hits. Curran led the way with two runs batted in. Four Evansville players finished with two hits apiece.

The Panthers were opening play in the Dunn Hospitality Diamond Classic today. They continue action on Saturday with a game against Eastern Illinois, scheduled for an 11 a.m. start.