March 24, 2012

Box Score: Game 1 | Box Score: Game 2

VALPARAISO, Ind. - Junior Cale Tassi threw 8.1 scoreless innings but had to settle for a no-decision when Valparaiso University defeated the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee baseball team on a walkoff double in the bottom of the 10th inning Saturday at Emory G. Bauer Field. The 1-0 decision was a pitchers' duel in the truest sense of the word and helped complete the sweep on the day.

In addition to Tassi's impressive outing for the Panthers (6-13, 2-3 Horizon League), the Crusaders (7-14, 3-2 Horizon League) Kevin Wild did not allow a hit through the first nine innings, with sophomore Ryan Solberg finally breaking up the no-hit bid with a double down the right field line to lead off the top of the 10th.

"Both kids were dealing it pretty well in game two," UWM head coach Scott Doffek said. "I really thought we swung the bats pretty well despite not having a hit through the first nine innings. I think we either lined out or flew out to the wall with the wind blowing in eight or nine times - so I was not disappointed with the way we hit the ball. We just couldn't get a runner in from third with less than two outs."

Tassi allowed four hits, walking one and striking out five. He retired seven in a row at one point and 14 of 15 from the end of the first through the end of the fifth innings to match zeroes all day long. Wild walked four and struck out six, becoming the first Valpo pitcher to make it through nine innings without allowing a hit in close to 20 years despite also settling for a no-decision.

"Tassi was outstanding, just a great game," Doffek said. "You can't say anything - both pitchers were on. But that's the game. We hit the ball hard and they made plays. You have to give them credit."

The Panthers came close to winning the game without a hit in the eighth. Solberg reached on a catcher's interference and an error on the proceeding sac bunt attempt put two on. Another sacrifice bunt put runners on second and third with one out, but Wild coaxed a ground out and got senior Paul Hoenecke to line out to first to end the threat.

Milwaukee also had a chance in the top of the 10th after Solberg's double. A sacrifice put him at third with one out. After a hit batter, Valpo pitcher Jarad Miller turned an impressive 1-6-3 double play to set the stage for Billy Cribbs to drive in the winning run in the bottom of the frame.

In the opener, Tyler Deetjen (1-2) also threw well for the Crusaders in throwing the complete-game 7-0 shutout. He gave up six hits, walked none and struck out six in a fast-moving contest. In fact, the Panthers had runners reach second base just twice and never had one reach third base in the game.

Junior Eric Semmelhack (1-4) took the loss, throwing the first six innings. He allowed six runs, just three earned, but walked four and struck out one.

The defense did not help either, committing a season-high five errors to help the Crusaders to four unearned tallies in the game. All the damage that was needed was done in the second, when Valpo got a pair of runs after two UWM errors and gradually added from there.

Freshman Luke Meeteer had a 2-for-4 outing, with senior Jim Lundstrom, sophomore Sam Koenig, junior Tell Taylor and senior Mark Strey rounding out the hit list with one each. Tanner Vavra led the Crusaders with a game-high three hits.

The two teams wrap up the series Sunday with a 1 p.m. start.