May 19, 2011

Box Score

MILWAUKEE - Senior Sam Sivilotti drove in the winning run in the bottom of the tenth inning to send the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee baseball team to a thrilling 4-3 victory over Valparaiso University Thursday at Henry Aaron Field. The Panthers (26-25-1, 14-9-1 Horizon League) led on a pair of occasions, only to see the Crusaders (21-29, 13-9 Horizon League) rally for the tie each time before claiming the victory in extra innings.

"That was critical, just a momentum and confidence builder," UWM head coach Scott Doffek said. "Chad (Pierce) pitched really well and gave us another good start. Unfortunately for Valpo, someone had to lose that game because they played really well too. They came up with a couple of big hits and we were just fortunate enough to get the last one."

Senior Cole Kraft walked to lead off the 10th and, after a failed sacrifice attempt, Milwaukee had runners on first and second following a single off the bat of senior Doug Dekoning. That set the stage for Sivilotti, who sent a 2-2 pitch into center field. The Valpo outfielder made a diving attempt to reach it, but it fell in front of him and allowed Kraft to scamper home with the winning run.

"I fell behind early but got back to even in the count," Sivilotti said. "I figured it was a good time for a fastball and I got a pitch I was fortunate enough to drive to the outfield. Initially I thought it was in the gap, but then it started to hang up there a bit. Then the centerfielder dove ... I just held my breathe and luckily enough it fell in."

The Crusaders came up with a few big hits of their own, tying the game in the top of the ninth inning on Corey Thibault's double to send it to extra innings and end the day for senior Chad Pierce.

Pierce threw well, pitching the first nine complete innings of the game. He gave up three earned runs, walked no one and struck out six. Senior Cuyler Franzke (1-1) earned the victory, getting out of a jam in the top of the 10th to keep it tied.

A leadoff walk to Kyle Gaedele started the frame and a single gave Valpo runners on first and second with just one out. Franzke and junior Paul Hoenecke - who entered the game in the eighth as a defensive replacement - then pulled off the play of the game. Franzke struck out Chris Manning and Hoenecke threw out the speedy Gaedele at third trying to steal for a key double-play. It marked just the fifth time in his three-year career he has been thrown out (now 46-of-51).

"You have to give Cuyler a lot of credit too," Doffek said. "He came in and gave up a few hits but slowed it back down and made some quality pitches. And then, Paul made a great throw to get (Kyle) Gaedele at third. Great execution on both parts - Cuyler was quick to the plate and Paul gave us critical momentum with that play."

Down, 1-0, in the second inning, junior Phil Striggow continued his hot streak at the plate, tripling to the center field wall to give UWM a 2-1 lead. That held up until the seventh when Robbie Robinson tied the game at 2-2 with his third home run of the season.

Milwaukee retook the lead in the bottom of the seventh when Kraft singled in junior Mark Strey with a key two-out RBI.

Valparaiso ended up outhitting Milwaukee, 11-to-10, with Robinson leading the way with a 3-for-4 day. Damon McCormick (5-6) suffered the loss, throwing the complete game in allowing four runs, all earned, walking two and striking out four.

Sivilotti (2-for-5) and Kraft (2-for-4) paced the UWM offense. Striggow added a sac bunt and hit-by-pitch and is now 4-for-6 with seven RBI in his last three games.

These two teams are right back at it tomorrow, playing the final doubleheader of the regular season, with each team still fighting for higher seeds in the final league standings. Game one will start at 1 p.m. and it will also be "Senior Day" for the Panthers.