April 6, 2008

Box Score

CARBONDALE, Ill. - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee baseball team got back-to-back run-scoring doubles from seniors Jesse Hart and Nick Wichser in the top of the eighth inning to tie the game against Southern Illinois University Sunday, only to see the opposition rally for three runs in the bottom of the frame and go on to record the 5-2 victory at Abe Martin Field. The Panthers (5-20) played the Salukis (17-11) close all weekend, but head back to Milwaukee on the wrong end of a weekend sweep.

SIU got on the scoreboard first, plating solo runs in the first and third innings to take a 2-0 lead. Junior Jordan Herbert threw well in his start, allowing those two runs and five hits in his six innings of work.

It stood at 2-0 entering the eighth when UWM mounted a rally, all coming with two outs. Junior Andy Gerhartz singled to start it and scored on Hart's double, his team-high 10th of the season. Wichser followed with a double of his own to left to knot the score.

The Salukis came right back, scoring three times in their half of the frame on five hits and one Milwaukee error. The Panthers got the first two batters on base in the ninth to bring the tying run to the plate, but Bryant George recorded a strike out and two fly balls to the outfield to record his third save of the season.

UWM collected eight hits in the game, with Gerhartz and junior Josh Groves each chipping in a team-high two each.

Milwaukee returns to action Wednesday, heading to Chicago to take on Chicago State in a doubleheader. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 3 p.m.