May 3, 2013

Box Score

VALPARAISO, Ind. - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee baseball team pounded out 11 hits before the first out of the fourth inning, but could not take advantage of its opportunities in falling to Valparaiso University Friday afternoon by a score of 5-3 at Emory Bauer Field.

The Panthers (21-17, 11-5 Horizon League) took a lead in the second inning and were tied with the Crusaders (21-23, 8-8 Horizon League) in the fourth, but allowed two runs in the bottom half of the frame and could never recover.

They got the tying run to the plate in the ninth but that was as close as they would get. The loss snaps Milwaukee's winning streak at eight games on the season.

"I thought we came out of the box swinging the bats extremely well," UWM head coach Scott Doffek said. "I think we had 11 hits through three innings, but Valpo really did a good job to minimize it and keep us to three runs. We made a big mental error on the bases that killed a potential big inning and that was a big momentum play."

Senior Jake Long (6-3) suffered his first loss since late February, getting touched up for five runs - four earned - and eight hits in 3.1 innings. He walked a pair and did not record a strikeout.

"Jake has been phenomenal for us," Doffek said. "As poorly as the results were for him early on today, when we took him out of the game it was 4-3. You can't put it on Jake."

Junior Tyler Thicke kept Milwaukee in the contest with an impressive relief outing, keeping Valpo off the scoreboard in his 4.2 innings of work. He gave up three hits, no runs, walked one and struck out three.

"Tyler Thicke came in and did a phenomenal job," Doffek said. "We just couldn't get that big hit. We had plenty of chances but hit into a couple of double plays. We just have to come out tomorrow with some energy, rally and find a way."

The offense pounded out 13 hits, led by a 3-for-4 outing by freshman Mitch Ghelfi. Junior Ryan Solberg was 2-for-4, scored a run and drove in a pair. Senior Alex Erdmann and sophomores Luke Meeteer and Derek Peake all had two hits apiece.

Spencer Mahoney was 3-for-3 and Andrew Bain 3-for-4 to lead Valpo.

Down a run after the first, Milwaukee clawed right back into it and went ahead with a pair of runs in the top of the second. An infield hit and single to center started the frame and a sacrifice bunt moved them each up a base. Solberg then came through with the clutch hit, sending a 1-2 pitch to center to score both and make it 2-1 at the time.

The Crusaders bounced back with two in the bottom of the second to retake the lead at 3-2. UWM started a big rally in the fourth, opening the inning with four consecutive hits. Meeteer's single to right drove in the tying run, but Valpo alertly threw out a trail runner at second to take the momentum out of the rally. A line out and fly ball kept it at 3-3.

The Panthers had baserunners in the sixth and ninth innings, but double-plays ended both of the threats.

The two teams will be back at it for game two in the series tomorrow, starting at 1 p.m.