May 1, 2007

Game 1: UWM 9; Carroll 1
Game 2: UWM 11; Carroll 4

MILWAUKEE - Four pitchers combined to throw a one-hitter for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee baseball team in defeating Carroll College, 9-1, in game one of a doubleheader on Tuesday at Henry Aaron Field. The Panthers (12-25) completed the sweep with an 11-4 victory over the Pioneers (7-21) in the nightcap.

Sophomore Jordan Herbert (first three innings), freshman Zach Hoch (fourth and fifth), senior Rob Brockel (sixth) and junior Matt Holzheuter (seventh) combined on the outing, striking out seven. Only Jason Infusino's triple off the right field wall in the fourth inning prevented what would have been the first no-hitter in the Panthers NCAA Division I era.

"It was just a really great effort from everybody," UWM head coach Scott Doffek said. "Jordan (Herbert) came out and set the tone and the rest of the pitchers did a good job. I didn't even realize that [it was a one-hitter] until after the game."

It was also a team effort offensively, as Milwaukee jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning on junior Nick Wichser's sacrifice fly and sophomore Josh Groves RBI-double and continued to build from there. The Panthers scored in every inning, recording 13 hits off Carroll pitching.

Groves (2-for-2) and freshman Shaun Wegner (2-for-2, two runs) combined to give the catcher position a perfect 4-for-4 day with Wegner blasting his first home run of the season to left field in the fourth inning. Sophomore Shawn Wozniak was on base all four times with two hits and two walks and junior Grant Berkovitz was 2-for-4 to round out the multi-hit performances.

Herbert (3-0) got things off on the right foot for UWM, striking out four in his three innings of work. Hock had two strikeouts and Brockel whiffed one to give Milwaukee its first one-hitter since Mikel Schaefer one-hit Valparaiso April 5, 2003.

"It was positive day," Doffek said. "We had a chance to get six or seven pitchers in the games and get them some work. All of them came in and did a good job commanding the strike zone and we got some two-out hits offensively. All in all, it was a very good day."

Carroll jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the first inning of game two, but the Panthers responded with four of their own in their half of the inning to take the lead they would never relinquish. Senior Ross McCoy's two-out double plated two runs and sophomore Andy Hetebrueg followed with another double to make it 4-1.

The Pioneers cut into the lead with a run in the second, but a three-run UWM third inning put the game away. Hetebrueg started the scoring with an RBI-single and freshman Wes Munson drove in the other two with a double to left center.

Junior Adam Ferrell (1-2) earned the win for Milwaukee, working five innings. He allowed three runs - one earned - on five hits and struck out five. Sophomore Tim Hoy struck out two in his inning of relief and senior Tom Zimmerman closed it out. Jimmy Marlin (0-1) took the loss, allowing sevens runs in 3.0 innings. His defense did not help him out, as four errors led to zero earned runs charged against him.

Munson finished 3-for-3 with three runs batted in and Hetebrueg went 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs. Berkovitz scored three times. Keith McFarlane went 3-for-4 to pace the Pioneers.

Milwaukee is back at it at home again tomorrow, taking on Northern Illinois in a non-conference doubleheader. Game one against the Huskies starts at 2 p.m. at Henry Aaron Field.