March 27, 2009

Box Score: Game 1
Box Score: Game 2

VALPARAISO, Ind. - Valparaiso University scored four runs in the eighth inning to complete a late comeback and hand the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee baseball team a heartbreaking, 7-5 loss in the second game of a doubleheader Friday at Emory Bauer Field. The Crusaders (9-12, 4-2 Horizon) also take the league series against the Panthers (5-15, 1-2 Horizon), two games to one, after winning the opener, 4-2.

Milwaukee went ahead with a big three-run seventh inning in the nightcap, scoring once on a bases-loaded walk to junior Shaun Wegner and another on a double-play ground ball. A fielding error plated another to make it 5-3 UWM at the time.

The offense loaded the bases on hit-by-pitches to seniors Andy Gerhartz and Josh Groves and a sacrifice bunt attempt that turned into a hit off the bat of sophomore Doug Dekoning.

The Crusaders then responded with four of their own in the bottom of the eighth, piecing together three hits and two errors into the winning rally, with all of the runs scoring as unearned.

The comeback spoiled a solid outing from senior Andy Hetebrueg, who left the game in line for the victory. Hetebrueg threw 7.0 strong innings, striking out seven and walking none. He allowed three runs (just one earned), scattered six hits and retired 11 of 12 batters from the fourth through seventh innings.

Dekoning, junior Dan Buchholz and freshman Paul Hoenecke all finished with two hits. Andrew Quinnette was 3-for-4 with three RBI to lead Valparaiso.

Game one was a pitcher's duel, with freshman Kyle Schmidt and Valpo's Alex Berry keeping the offenses in check for the majority of the game.

Milwaukee jumped out to an early 2-1 lead in unique fashion, as Dekoning, Groves and Wegner would record back-to-back-to-back singles in both the first and third innings, with Dekoning scoring twice and Wegner driving in both to make it 2-1 after three.

The Crusaders would go ahead in the fourth, getting a clutch two-out, bases-loaded hit from their No. 9 hitter that plated two to take a 3-2 advantage. They would add another in the seventh on a single down the left field line that just snuck inside the base.

Milwaukee had a couple of late rallies, but a leadoff double in the seventh got doubled off and then it stranded two runners in the eighth.

Schmidt (0-3) finished with six strikeouts and just one walk in 5+ innings, allowing three runs. Berry (1-3) worked into the eighth while also striking out six and walking one. Jarad Miller finished for his fourth save. Offensively, Groves led the Panthers with a 3-for-4 effort in addition to the two-hit days from Wegner and Dekoning.

Milwaukee opens April with a trip to Northern Illinois Wednesday before finally getting the opportunity to play at home on the weekend. The Panthers will host UIC in a weekend set, beginning Friday at 1 p.m.