April 12, 2011

Box Score vs. Carroll
Box Score vs. St. Norbert

MILWAUKEE - Seniors Sam Sivilotti, Doug Dekoning and Cole Kraft combined for seven hits and seven runs batted in to help power the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee baseball team to an 11-0 victory over St. Norbert College Tuesday evening at Henry Aaron Field. The Panthers (13-16) jumped out to a five-run lead after one inning against the Green Knights (4-8) and never looked back. That also gave Milwaukee a two-game sweep on the day following a 4-1 victory over Carroll University (4-12) in the opener.

"Game two we came out offensively and really set the tone," UWM head coach Scott Doffek said. "That was good to see, because game one was a struggle. We had some very undisciplined at bats in the first game, but I think the guys refocused, came out and did a great job against St. Norbert."

Four pitchers combined on a one-hitter in the nightcap, with freshman Mike Schneider (2-1) earning the victory with four innings of work, allowing only a leadoff bunt single to start the game. He walked one and struck out three to help the Panthers extend their current winning streak to seven games.

Junior Kyle Spurley (1.2 IP, 3 K's), junior Greg Blohowiak (0.1 IP) and freshman Todd Hegbloom (1.0 IP, 1 K) worked the rest of the game to help Milwaukee record its third shutout of the season.

"We had nine runs after two innings, so from there it's a matter of throwing strikes and we did that," Doffek said. "You throw strikes and make routine plays and you will be in good shape. The whole day was a great opportunity to give some guys a chance to get some playing time, but Todd (Hegbloom), especially, has been through so much the past two years health-wise. He has really been battling, so for him to get in there and throw a good clean inning, the guys were really happy for him."

The offense went to work immediately, striking for five runs in the first inning and four more in the second to stake the team to a commanding 9-0 lead. Dekoning doubled in a pair in the first in front of an RBI-single from Sivilotti. Junior Paul Hoenecke then added a two-run home run to right field to make it 5-0 at the time.

Dekoning had an RBI on a groundout in his second at bat and Sivilotti doubled in a pair in his next at bat.

For the game, Dekoning was 2-for-3 with four RBI's and three runs scored, adding a solo home run in the fourth. Sivilotti finished a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs batted in and a pair of runs scored and Kraft was 2-for-3, scoring twice, to pace the offense in an 11-hit attack.

Schneider had the unique opportunity to pitch against his brother, David, who started on the mound for the Green Knights.

Carroll led, 1-0, early in the opener, before UWM battled back to take the lead it would not relinquish in the second inning. Sophomore Drew Pearson came through with the big hit, doubling to left with two outs to drive in two runs and give the home team the 2-1 lead.

Milwaukee would tack on with a run in the third on a Hoenecke groundout and then close out the scoring in the eighth inning when Pearson doubled in another run.

The pitching was strong again for Milwaukee, with three players combining to limit the Pioneers to four hits and just one run in the 4-1 victory.

Freshman Gunnar Eastman got the start, working into the fourth inning. He allowed a run on three hits, but did walk four batters. Senior Jayme Sukowaty (1-2) came on in relief to get the win, working 3.1 strong innings. He gave up just a single in his outing, striking out a pair and getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth with the game still on the line.

"That was a critical part of the game and could have really gone either way at that point," Doffek said. "He (Sukowaty) came in and put up three zeroes and you could tell the tempo swung back to our dugout, so that was great to see."

Junior Cameron Amsrud was sharp in his 2.0 innings of work, recording his first save of the season with 2.0 hitless innings, adding one strikeout.

Offensively, the Panthers collected 11 hits, led by Pearson's two hits and three RBI. Sivilotti was 2-for-4 and freshman Tell Taylor also had a multi-hit game, finishing 2-for-4.

It's off to Ohio on the weekend for the Panthers, set to play Cleveland State in a three-game series. First game Friday is scheduled for a first pitch of 4 p.m. CST and will be aired on the Horizon League Network.

NOTE: Time Warner Cable will air the game against Carroll University on tape-delay on Sports 32. The game will be re-broadcasted Wednesday, April 13 at 7 p.m., Thursday, April 14 at 8:30 a.m. and Sunday, April 17 at 7 p.m.