Feb. 22, 2013

Box Score

CORAL GABLES, Fla. - The University of Miami used a four-run first inning to jump-start its way to a 6-1 victory over the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee baseball team Friday night at Mark Light Field.

The Panthers (2-3) and the 20th-ranked Hurricanes (5-0) each recorded nine hits on the night, but UWM grounded into double-plays in each of the first four innings on offense and committed four errors on defense to hurt any chances of a comeback.

"We certainly did not play our best baseball today," Milwaukee head coach Scott Doffek said. "We know we are up against good competition in Miami, so to give them extra outs is a recipe for disaster. But, I can't wait to see how we come out tomorrow - I am excited for the challenge."

Two bunts for singles and a hit batter quickly loaded the bases for Miami in the bottom of the first. A two-run double followed, but two UWM errors in the frame contributed to that 4-0 deficit.

"We came out and got ourselves in a hole early," Doffek said. "Two bunts for hits, a chopper over our third baseman's head and a walk and we never recovered. That's two games in a row that our mental energy on defense was not there. This is a good defensive club and our defense needs to be a strength."

The Panthers immediately got one back in the second, with junior Pat Wilson singling to center to make it 4-1, putting two runners on base with just one down. A double-play ended that threat, however, which was also the case in the next two innings as well.

Senior Cale Tassi (0-1) settled down very nicely after the rough start, giving up just one hit from the second through seventh innings. He ended the night with a pair of strikeouts in 6.1 innings of work, allowing just six hits. Chris Diaz (1-0) pitched well for the `Canes, allowing one earned run in 6.0 innings.

Wilson and senior Alex Erdmann had the two multi-hit efforts of the night for Milwaukee, each finishing 2-for-3. David Thompson paced Miami with a pair of doubles and three RBI.

Game two of the series gets underway Saturday under the lights at 6 p.m. CST.