March 8, 2009

Box Score

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Eastern Illinois University scored in each of the first five innings Sunday afternoon in handing the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee baseball team a 16-4 loss in the final game of the Cardinal Classic. After averaging over 10 hits a game the past two days, the UWM Panthers (3-8) managed just four through the first seven innings today in falling to the EIU Panthers (6-3) at Patterson Stadium.

Milwaukee closed out the scoring with three in the eighth, getting an RBI-double from sophomore Doug Dekoning and a two-run double off the bat of junior Dan Buchholz.

The first run for Milwaukee came on a long home run by senior Ben Long in the fourth.

Mike Reccia (2-0) pitched well for EIU, allowing just the one earned run through 7.0 innings, walking one and striking out seven. Senior Andy Hetebrueg (0-2) suffered the loss, allowing seven earned runs before being chased in the third inning.

Long also doubled to lead the way for UWM, but his home run was memorable. The towering long ball smashed a light fixture halfway up the outfield pole, sending a shower of glass onto the field below. Richie Derbak led Eastern with a 5-for-6, four-RBI day.

Milwaukee stays on the road and makes its way to Tennessee, taking on Austin Peay in a four-game series next weekend. There will be one game Friday, a doubleheader Saturday and the finale Sunday.