Feb. 26, 2011

Box Score

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee baseball team scored first and trailed just 4-2 in the fifth inning, only to see Illinois State University score the final eight unanswered runs in a 13-3 loss Saturday at Raymond C. Hand Park. The Panthers (1-3) pounded out 10 more hits against Redbird (3-3) pitching, but left 11 runners on base in the loss.

"We just seemed to struggle in all phases of the game today," UWM heads coach Scott Doffek said. "I feel like we got exposed today. What we need to do is come out tomorrow, tighten it up and play for respect."

Sophomore Jonathan Capasso (3-for-4, HR) and senior Doug Dekoning (2-for-3, BB) did have strong days at the plate to lead the way. On the mound, senior Chad Pierce (0-2) took the loss after allowing six hits and four runs in just 3.0 innings.

The Panthers got on the board first in the third inning, scoring on a sacrifice fly off the bat of senior Cole Kraft. The Redbirds responded with two of their own in the bottom of the frame to retake the lead.

Milwaukee tallied single runs in the fifth inning on Capasso's home run and in the sixth on an RBI-single from junior Phil Striggow, but it was not enough.

Illinois State put the game away with a seven-run seventh innings, highlighted by a grand slam from Tyler McNeely.

Milwaukee closes out the weekend at the APSU Classic with two games tomorrow. The schedule has the Panthers playing Illinois State at 11 a.m. and then the host Governors at 2:30 p.m.