March 9, 2014

Box Score: Akron

Box Score: Austin Peay

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee baseball team jumped out to a 6-0 lead after two innings against Austin Peay State University but could not hold it, falling 12-7 Sunday afternoon at Raymond Hand Park.

The Panthers (3-8) still led the Governors (6-8) by a score of 6-4 after three innings and took a no-hitter into the fourth inning despite giving up the four runs.

"It was an extremely disappointing day for us today," UWM head coach Scott Doffek said. "We beat ourselves on the mound all day long. This game is won and lost with pitching and defense and right now we are searching a little. This is not the way we wanted to head into conference play, but we have been here before. It's not supposed to be easy, we know that. This is a journey we are on together and I am excited to see how this team responds."

Tied, 6-6, after four innings, the Panthers jumped back ahead by a run in the fifth after senior Ryan Solberg doubled, stole third and came home on a sacrifice fly. But, the lead was short-lived as it all went APSU's way in the sixth and seventh frames, scoring six unanswered runs to put the game away.

Solberg paced the offense, finishing 3-for-5 with a pair of runs scored. Juniors Luke Meeteer and Tyler Hermann and sophomore Nick Unes all had two hits, with Unes adding two RBI as well.

Walks hurt the pitchers, with five players combining to issue 11 base on balls. Freshman Adam Reuss got the start and did not give up a hit, but only worked 2.1 innings after walking five.

Akron got a bit of revenge from the previous day with a 13-5 victory in the opener. The Zips jumped on UWM for three runs in the first and another in the second and added two more in the fourth to lead, 5-0, before the Panthers would even get on the scoreboard.

Milwaukee broke up the shutout with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth on a Meeteer double and a sac fly off the bat of senior Pat Wilson.

The team could not keep the momentum, allowing Akron to put up seven runs to take control.

Juniors Sam Hammer (2-for-3), Derek Peake (2-for-5), Ryan McShane (2-for-5) and Sam Kohnke (2-for-2, 2 runs) led the offense. Freshman Justin Langley had his best outing as a Panther, throwing 3.1 shutout innings in relief, striking out three.

The team has Valparaiso on the schedule this upcoming weekend to open Horizon League play Friday through Sunday. Due to field conditions and winter weather, check for any updates on the series to be posted to the UWM website.