May 6, 2014

Box Score: Game 1 | Box Score: Game 2

MILWAUKEE - After overcoming a five-run deficit late in the game, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee baseball team saw its bid for a doubleheader sweep come up just short after Chicago State University rallied even later in a 9-6 loss in game two Tuesday night at Henry Aaron Field.

The Panthers (17-22) scored six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and were just three outs away from more late-inning heroics and another win at home. But, the Cougars (15-32) kept battling, adding four runs in the top of the seventh to escape with the come-from-behind win.

Milwaukee also scored three times late in the opener to earn the 7-5 win. The loss in the nightcap was just the third defeat for UWM in its past 28 home contests.

Down 5-0 in the sixth, the Panthers were helped along by a pair of errors to get the rally going. Sophomore Aaron Buban was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and junior Tell Taylor followed with a line drive to left to make it 5-2. A sac fly and another error reloaded the bases, forcing in another run on a walk by junior Mike Porcaro to make it 5-4.

Senior Ryan Solberg than appeared to step into the hero role, lining a two-out, two-strike single to left that gave UWM the 6-5 advantage heading into the final inning.

Chicago State would not go quietly, plating four runs on four hits to round out the scoring in the 9-6 decision when UWM went quietly in the last of the seventh.

Milwaukee collected just six hits off Nick Kostalek (2-2), who picked up the complete-game win. Junior Tyler Hermann went 2-for-4 and Solberg reached base three times in four at bats on the single and two hit-by-pitches, driving in the pair.

Sophomore Jake Tuttle started and battled through 6.0 innings, walking five and striking out one. Junior Justin Jaquish (2-2) suffered the loss.

In the opener, the Panthers claimed the victory despite their pitching staff allowing a near-school record 13 walks, just one off the school mark of 14.

It was a battle all game. UWM took a 1-0 lead in the first on an RBI-single from Solberg but fell behind 3-1 after the top of the fourth. Senior Pat Wilson homered to lead off the fourth and freshman Eric Solberg tied it up at 3-3 with a single to center field.

The Cougars built a 5-3 lead with a two-run fifth and still held a 5-4 advantage when taking the field in the last of the sixth.

Sophomore Nick Unes led off that rally with a single and pinch-runner Dan Barwick scored on Hermann's single to center. Junior Derek Peake and Porcaro tacked on with RBI-singles and Taylor worked a clean final inning for his third save of the season. Senior Tyler Thicke (4-5) picked up the victory by throwing just one pitch - he come on in a jam in the sixth and stranded a pair of runners on an infield groundout.

Ryan Solberg stole his 19th and 20th bases of the season and finished 2-for-4, while Wilson was 1-for-2 with a pair of RBI's. Hermann finished 2-for-3 with a run scored and another driven in and Eric Solberg was a perfect 2-for-2 with a walk.

It's more midweek action for UWM tomorrow, taking on Wisconsin Lutheran at home starting at 3 p.m.