Feb. 23, 2008

Box Score

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - UNC-Wilmington used a quick start to hand the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee baseball team a 6-3 loss at the Jacksonville Invitational on Saturday afternoon. The Seahawks (1-1) hit three home runs in a five-run first inning to keep the Panthers (0-2) in search of their first victory of the year.

"We fell behind too big and too early," UWM head coach Scott Doffek said. "We had to play catch up all day and couldn't get over the hump."

Down 5-0 before their first at-bat, the Panthers cut into the deficit immediately in their half of the first on senior Nick Wichser's bases loaded single to center field. UWM had the bases loaded and no outs after Wichser's hit, but failed to capitalize on the opportunity when UNC-W starter Seth Frankoff induced a pop out and a double play ball. Frankoff went on to throw the complete game, scattering seven hits, walking four and striking out six.

"Offensively, we had some opportunities in the first couple of innings that we didn't take advantage of when their pitcher was trying to find himself," Doffek said "He (Frankoff) really settled down after the third."

The Seahawks added a run in the third to make it 6-2 before Milwaukee got one back in the sixth on sophomore Tim Patzman's run-scoring single.

Not to be lost on the shuffle was the job that junior Brad Lusti and senior Adam Ferrell did in relief. Lusti came on in the first for junior starter Andy Hetebrueg (0-1) after Hetebrueg gave up five hits and five runs. Lusti pitched the next 5.1 innings, allowing just one unearned run in his outing while striking out three and walking one. Ferrell threw the final three innings, retiring nine of 10 batters faced in allowing just a harmless bunt single.

"The bullpen did a really good job," Doffek said "Lusti came in and kept the game in check and Ferrell did a great job in the final three innings."

Wichser had two hits and two runs batted in to lead UWM and has now hit safely in 18 straight games dating back to last season. Joining him with an 18-game hit streak is junior Josh Groves, who went 1-for-3 with a walk. Four UNC-Wilmington players had two hits each, with Jason Appel and Jes Snyder each driving in two runs.

The Panthers wrap up their weekend in Florida with a game tomorrow against Richmond. The contest is set for a 10 a.m. CST start.