Feb. 29, 2008

Box Score

MORAGA, Calif. - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee baseball team took a 3-2 lead in the third inning Friday, but could not hold off Saint Mary's College in falling, 9-4, at Louis Guisto Field. The Gaels (4-1) tied the game in their half of the third and went on to build a 7-3 lead against the Panthers (1-3) in the victory.

Senior Jesse Hart's bases-loaded single in the third inning tied the game at 2-2 and senior Nick Wichser's ground out later in the frame made it 3-2 in favor of the Panthers. However, SMC took control from there, scoring five unanswered runs throughout the middle innings of the game.

Brandon Berl (2-0) won his second-straight start to begin the season for the Gaels, allowing four runs on four hits while walking one and striking out seven in 6.1 innings of work. Two relievers combined for 2.2 perfect innings.

"I have to give a lot of credit to their starting pitcher," UWM head coach Scott Doffek said. "There was a wide strike zone today and he used it to his advantage. We did not make the proper adjustments."

Milwaukee could never get anything going offensively, getting two hits from freshman Cole Kraft, one from Hart and one from senior Troy Vesling in the contest. Hart drove in three runs to lead the way. Wichser and junior Josh Groves both had their 19-game hitting streaks come to a close. On the mound, junior Tim Hoy (0-2) allowed five runs on eight hits, striking out three and walking four in 5.1 innings of work.

Kyle Jensen and Ian Gordon supplied the majority of the offense for Saint Mary's, combining for six hits and six runs batted in.

"It's a long weekend and we still have three more games left," Doffek said. "Our job is to find a way to get better in all five phases of the game and come to the park with enthusiasm."

The two teams continue the series Saturday, with a doubleheader scheduled for a 1 p.m. CST start.