April 29, 2012

Box Score: Game 1 | Box Score: Game 2

MILWAUKEE - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee baseball team had the tying run at third base with one out in four of the final five innings against Valparaiso University Sunday, but could not find a way to score in falling, 2-1, in game two of a doubleheader at Henry Aaron Field.

The Panthers (17-23, 10-11 Horizon League) loaded the bases with just one out in the bottom of the ninth inning against the Crusaders (22-20, 15-6 Horizon League), but a well-turned 4-6-3 double play ended the contest and completed the sweep after a 4-1 decision in game one.

Milwaukee had numerous opportunities, stranding four runners on base in the final two innings alone. Those chances started in the fifth after a leadoff double by freshman Michael Porcaro, who was at third with one out after a sac bunt. A suicide squeeze attempt ended that threat, turning into a double play when the ball was popped up.

"We just could not come up with a clutch hit or advance runners," UWM head coach Scott Doffek said. "We must have had seven or eight base runners in the last four innings with less than two outs and didn't score a run. Their first baseman made a phenomenal pick on the double play that ended the second game and the second baseman had a fully-extended dive that saved at least two runs the inning before that."

Another leadoff double in the sixth, this one by sophomore Sam Koenig, and sac bunt again put the tying run 90 feet away. Two ground ball outs left him stranded.

In the eighth, great defense by Valpo kept UWM off the board. Following a bunt by freshman Luke Meeteer and another double by Koenig, Andrew Bain made a diving stop of a ball hit by junior Alex Erdmann with the infield in that appeared headed for right field.

Sophomore Mike Schneider (2-5) took the loss, allowing two runs in his 5.0 innings. Junior Jake Long (2.0 IP) and seniors Kaleb Engelke (1.0) and Jordan Guth (1.0) combined for 3.0 scoreless innings of relief the rest of the way.

Junior Jonathan Capasso was 2-for-3 to lead the offense. Koenig and senior Phil Striggow also went 2-for-4. Elliot Martin paced Valpo with a 3-for-4 showing.

Game one was a battle between the top two earned run averages in the Horizon League, with Kevin Wild (2.57 ERA entering play) winning the pitcher's duel against Cale Tassi (2.55 ERA coming in).

The Panthers allowed a pair of runs in the first - one unearned - and could never get much going against Wild. They got one back in the second on an RBI-double by Striggow, but that was as close as the game would get.

Wild (5-1) did the rest, throwing the complete game. He used three double plays to help him get out of any jams he did get into, walking two and striking out five in an efficient 104-pitch outing.

Tassi (3-5) pitched the first eight innings, allowing three earned runs. He walked three and struck out five and allowed just five hits.

The Panthers open May with four games on the road, beginning with a non-conference matchup at Iowa on May 1. Then, it's off to Chicago for a three-game series at UIC.