March 27, 2011

Box Score (Sunday's Game)
Box Score (Suspended Game)

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Sophomore Nick Lingvay came up with the game-winning hit, driving in two runs in the 12th inning to lead the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee baseball team to a 5-1 victory over IPFW Sunday at Mastodon Field. The Panthers (5-15) and Mastodons (4-12) started the day with conclusion of Saturday's contest, which was suspended due to darkness after 10 complete innings.

After going quietly in the 11th, the Panthers struck for four runs in the 12th, with Lingvay accounting for the only hit of the frame. Two walks, an error, a stolen base, a couple of fielder's choices and a sacrifice fly all added up to the winning rally. Junior Kaleb Engelke (1-0) earned the win, throwing 2.1 hitless innings, striking out four. That followed up sophomore Eric Semmelhack's solid start in the game yesterday, when he struck out six and gave up just one run in 8.0 innings of work.

"Game one we did a nice job again of executing some small ball and then Lingvay came up with a big hit to get us the victory," UWM head coach Scott Doffek said. "Semmelhack gave us a great start and Engelke was fantastic. To get 12 strikeouts and allow just six hits in a 12-inning game was great to see."

With weather conditions meant for baseball only in spring in the Midwest, the two teams concluded the weekend with the fourth game of the series. The entire weekend was played in temperatures in the 30's, with wind chills dipping into the 20's and gusts over 20 miles per hour.

The Milwaukee offense could never get on track against IPFW's Samuel Walker (1-1) in the final contest, recording just a pair of hits in a 3-0 loss. Walker struck out nine and walked three batters, allowing only freshman Ryan Solberg's third-inning single and a double to junior Paul Hoenecke in the seventh.

UWM freshman Mike Schneider (0-1) threw well in the loss, allowing just four hits in 6.1 innings on the mound. He struck out five, but walked five. Those five walks proved critical to the outcome of the game, as leadoff base on balls in the fourth, seventh and eighth innings all came around to score each run of the game.

"In game two Mike kept us in it with a quality start, we just could not get anything going at all against their guy," Doffek said. "In these conditions, you really have to shorten up and put the ball in play and that final game was just very poor execution of the offensive philosophy. But, we are excited to get back to Milwaukee, get in to league play and wear the home whites this upcoming weekend."

As noted, following 20 games on the road, the Panthers will finally have the chance to play in Milwaukee. UWM welcomes Butler for the home opener April 1, followed by a doubleheader the next day. First pitch at Henry Aaron Field Friday is scheduled for 3 p.m.