March 26, 2010

Box Score

CHICAGO, Ill. - The University of Illinois at Chicago capped off an improbable comeback with three runs in the ninth inning to down the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee baseball team, 6-5, Friday afternoon at Les Miller Field. The Panthers (4-12, 0-1 Horizon) led, 5-3, heading into the ninth, before the Flames (4-13, 1-0 Horizon) tied the contest on a two-out error and then won it on a bases-loaded walk.

Errors hurt Milwaukee all day, as five miscues in the game led to just one of the six UIC runs coming across as earned. The decision spoiled a great effort by junior Chad Pierce, who started and went eight strong innings, allowing no earned runs, striking out a pair and walking just two.

"This is a real unfortunate rut that we seem to be stuck in," UWM head coach Scott Doffek said. "We are continually putting ourselves in position to win, but, at this point, we don't believe in ourselves enough to do so. We have a chance to be a very good team, but that is not going to happen until they believe it. There is nothing more important in sports - especially baseball - than confidence and believing in yourself. Hopefully this team will recognize the ability it has and bring it to the ballpark from here on."

Following an out, two singles and a hit batter started the late rally. Another hit batter scored a run to make it 5-4. The tying run would cross on a fielding error and Chris Rutta would score the winner when Joe Betcher drew the bases-loaded walk. Sophomore Cameron Amsrud (0-4) suffered the loss. The defeat was the fifth walkoff loss for Milwaukee this season in games they led late.

Senior Dan Buchholz had hit a go-ahead home run in the seventh inning, breaking a 3-3 tie and giving UWM a 4-3 lead. The Panthers would also add what looked to be an insurance run in the eighth and took that 5-3 advantage into the ninth.

The Panthers got on the scoreboard quickly, putting up a pair of runs on three hits in the top of the first inning. Senior Ben Long drove in the first run before UWM would add a second on a single off the bat of sophomore Paul Hoenecke. The Flames caught a break on defense, as Hoenecke's fly ball was caught at the wall by the UIC leftfielder, who immediately ran into the wall and dropped the ball. At that point, Hoenecke overran Long at first and was called out.

UIC would slowly battle back, adding unearned tallies in the second, fourth and sixth innings off Pierce. Milwaukee avoided what appeared to be the big trouble all game. In the seventh, a two-out fly ball to right turned into a triple after freshman Jonathan Capasso appeared to lose it in the sun. He made up for it on the next play, robbing UIC of extra bases and a run with a spectacular over-the-shoulder running catch at the warning track. Hoenecke also made impressive fielding plays leading off the seventh and ending the fourth as well.

Milwaukee also got out of a big jam in the third, keeping the Flames off the scoreboard after they had runners on first and third with no outs. A groundball to third started what looked to be a routine double-play ball, but Hoenecke threw home instead of to first and was able to complete the double play there.

The offense ended the day with eight hits, led by two each from Long and junior Doug Dekoning. Long also drove in a team-high two. Senior Tim Patzman saw his career-best nine game hitting streak come to an end.

These two teams close out the weekend series with a Saturday doubleheader starting at 12:05 p.m.