March 10, 2012

Box Score: Game 1 | Box Score: Game 2

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Freshman Michael Porcaro was hit by a pitch to force in the go-ahead run and senior Paul Hoenecke provided the insurance with a bases-loaded double to lead the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee baseball team to a 10-5 extra-inning victory over the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Saturday evening at Gary Hogan Field.

The Panthers (4-10) ended up scoring six runs in the 10th inning to easily get past the Trojans (12-4), who had tied the game when they were down to their final strike in the bottom of the ninth. Milwaukee set season-highs with the 10 runs and also with 14 hits, snapping UARL's winning streak at seven games with the big final at bat.

"We have been waiting for the floodgates to bust open and they did there in the 10th inning," Milwaukee head coach Scott Doffek said. "I was really proud of the team for fighting back. It would have been really easy to put your head between your legs and get discouraged after that two-out, two-strike double to tie the game."

In the 10th, a pair of walks and a sacrifice bunt attempt that turned into a base hit loaded the bases for Porcaro, who was drilled by the 3-2 pitch to bring home the go-ahead run. Hoenecke then put the game away, missing a grand slam by a few feet when his drive to right center went high off the wall and cleared the bases.

"If you look at the key at bats, we didn't swing at pitcher's pitches early in those counts and put the pressure on them," Doffek said. "Then it got a little mental for them. They put themselves in bad situations and then give our guys credit for executing."

Hoenecke would score on a wild pitch and senior Phil Striggow would add an RBI-single to help UWM to the win.

Senior Kaleb Engelke (1-0) earned the victory, getting the final out in the ninth inning after the Trojans tied the game, 4-4, on Bryson Thionnet's two-out, two-strike double to left center.

Senior Greg Blohowiak also pitched well, working around trouble in the seventh and eighth in allowing just one hit in working 2.2 innings.

Tied, 3-3, in the seventh, junior Drew Pearson drew a bases-loaded walk with two outs to give the Panthers the late lead. The walk was one of four in the frame for UWM batters.

Sophomore Mike Schneider pitched well despite getting a no-decision. He carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning, retiring 11 in a row at one point before allowing the first hit. He ended the night with 6-plus innings on the mound, tying his career-high with eight strikeouts.

"He's been really good all year so far," Doffek said. "He really pitched well and gave us a chance to win that ballgame. We battled to the bitter end and put up a six-spot in the tenth."

Milwaukee took its first lead of the series in the top of the fourth, scoring three runs on four hits. Singles by Porcaro and Hoenecke started the rally. Porcaro then scored on a single by junior Will Fadness, with Hoenecke eventually scoring on a bases-loaded balk. Junior Nick Lingvay beat out an infield hit to make it 3-0 at the time.

UALR then tied the game in a strange inning, making it 3-3 on a controversial two-out balk.

The top four of the order combined for eight hits in the nightcap, with junior Jonathan Capasso (2-for-5, 2 runs), Porcaro (2-for-4, 2 runs), Hoenecke (2-for-5, 2 runs, 3 RBI) and Fadness (2-for-5) accounting for the damage. Lingvay also added a two-hit effort in the game and Striggow was 1-for-3 with three walks.

In the opener, the Trojans Blake Huffman (3-1) took a no-hitter of his own into the fifth inning before sophomore Sam Koenig singled, snapping a streak of nine in a row retired by the UALR starter. He ended up going 7.0 strong innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits. He walked one and struck out seven.

A fast start fueled the Trojans, getting four in the first inning, including two on a home run by Kaleb Jobe. It stayed that way until the fifth when they tacked on a run and then broke it open with a four-run outburst in the sixth inning. Another in the eighth extended a streak of 10 or more runs in a game to seven in a row in the 10-3 decision.

The Panthers finally dented the scoreboard in the seventh, scoring a run on Fadness' double and adding another on Koenig's sac fly. Pearson hit a long solo home run to deep left in the top of the ninth to round out the scoring.

Junior Cale Tassi (0-2) took the loss, settling down after the first but the damage was done. He put up three-straight scoreless frames, ending his day in the fifth after a wild outing. He walked six and struck out three and was responsible for five earned runs.

Milwaukee continues the road trek but opens Horizon League play next, heading to Ohio for a weekend series at Youngstown State. Game one Friday is set for a 2 p.m. CST start.