March 2, 2008

Box Score

MORAGA, Calif. - Scott Schneider led Saint Mary's to a 7-1 victory over the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee baseball team Sunday afternoon, allowing just one run on four hits in seven innings of work. The Gaels (7-1) starting pitchers threw at least six innings in each game against the Panthers (1-6) to help lead the way.

Saint Mary's pitching was the story of the weekend, as the SMC staff concluded the four games with a collective earned run average of 2.25, allowing nine earned runs in the series. They also struck out 33 batters and walked just nine to key the victories.

The Gaels got to junior starter Andy Hetebrueg (0-2) in the first, turning two walks and two hits into a 3-0 lead.

UWM got one back in the fourth. Junior Josh Groves walked and stole second and then came home on junior Shawn Wozniak's double to left center to cut the lead to 3-1.

Saint Mary's added that run back in the fifth and then put the game away with a three-run eighth. The Panthers rallied late, but could never get the key hit, leaving two runners on base in the eighth and three on in the ninth.

Freshman Cole Kraft led the offense with two hits, with Groves, Wozniak, senior Troy Vesling, freshman Doug Dekoning and senior John Sarcia all adding a hit apiece.

Hetebrueg allowed four runs in five innings, walking two and giving up six hits. Four other Panther relievers finished the game, with senior Adam Ferrell adding a nice line of three strikeouts and one hit allowed in two innings on the mound.

It's off to Louisiana for the Panthers next weekend, taking on Centenary College in a four-game set starting Friday.