March 1, 2008

Box Score

MORAGA, Calif. - Saint Mary's scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to hand the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee baseball team a heartbreaking 5-4 loss in game two of a doubleheader Saturday. The Gaels (6-1) won the opener, 5-1, to keep the Panthers (1-5) in search of a win on their weekend trip out west.

"It was a shame that in both games we spoiled that kind of starting pitching," UWM head coach Scott Doffek said. "We did not do a good job of executing offensively all day."

Down 2-1 after six innings, the Panthers scored twice in the seventh to jump ahead. Milwaukee loaded the bases without a hit, setting the stage for senior Jesse Hart's single that plated both runs. UWM then added what looked to be an insurance run on sophomore Tim Patzman's ground out in the eighth to make it 4-2.

The Gaels got to junior Jordan Herbert (0-1) in the ninth. After a walk and a double, an infield single plated a run and another came home on a throwing error during the same play to tie the contest. A sacrifice then put the winning run in scoring position. A single by Daniel Alcaire looked like a walk-off hit before freshmen right fielder Sam Sivilotti and second baseman Cole Kraft combined to gun the runner out at the plate with a perfect relay. The momentum went right back to the hosts, however, as Saint Mary's scored the winning run on a wild pitch during the following at-bat.

Junior Brad Lusti ended up with a no-decision despite a quality start. He threw seven complete innings, allowing just three hits and two runs, striking out one and walking one. Senior Matt Holzheuter also threw a perfect inning, striking out one.

"It's early in the season," Doffek said. "It's a process and we have to find ways to get better."

Hart finished the nightcap 2-for-2 with two runs batted in and junior Josh Groves had two hits and drove in a run. Sivilotti and junior Shawn Wozniak also had a base hit.

Saint Mary's used an efficient start from Brian Justice (1-0) in the opener, winning by a final score of 5-1. Justice threw the first six innings, allowing just three hits. He struck out six and did not walk a batter.

The UWM offense was limited in the opener, recording seven hits in the game and not breaking up the shutout until the eighth inning on an RBI-groundout off the bat of Groves.

Hart had two of the Milwaukee hits, with Kraft, Groves, Wozniak, sophomore Shaun Wegner and freshman Doug Dekoning all chipping in with one. Randy Wells led SMC with three hits.

Junior Craig Meier (1-1) took the loss, allowing three earned runs in 6.1 innings. He struck out three and walked one.

The Panthers and Gaels wrap up the four-game set Sunday, with first pitch slated for a 2 p.m. CST start.