MILWAUKEE - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee baseball team set a season high in runs scored for the second straight game in claiming a 16-8 victory over Youngstown State University Friday afternoon at Henry Aaron Field.
 
The Panthers (20-12, 7-8 Horizon League) jumped on the Penguins (10-22, 4-12 Horizon League) for four runs in the first inning and three more in the second, putting the game away with a nine-run fifth inning.
 
"I thought it was important jumping out ahead early like we did," UWM head coach Scott Doffek said. "Putting up seven runs in two innings gave Keller a great opportunity to go out and relax and continue to put zeroes up on the board."
 
Junior Brian Keller (3-3) was the beneficiary of the tremendous run support on the mound, picking up the victory with a quality start. He gave up two runs on six hits, walking two and striking out nine in 6.0 innings of work.
 
"It's just easier to play behind him when you don't have to grind out every single out," Doffek said. "But, we were just in a game Wednesday where we were down nine runs, so you have to maintain focus and respect the game. Our hitters did a great job of continuing to tack on and give us a big cushion."
 
The offense had plenty of contributors. Freshman Daulton Varsho continues to swing a hot bat, going 3-for-4 and driving in a season-high four runs.
 
"Varsho has stepped in and really done a great job," Doffek said. "Meeteer is doing a nice job, Sam has stayed hot … we have a couple of guys in the lineup capable of taking off."
 
Senior Derek Peake was 2-for-3 and scored three runs, senior Sam Koenig had a pair of hits, scored twice and drove in three and senior Mike Porcaro was 2-for-3 with two runs and three RBI.
 
Junior Luke Meeteer reached base all four times with two hits and two walks, scoring three times and driving in a run.
 
Brent Gillespie was 3-for-4 to lead YSU. Ryan Cordova hit a grand slam in the eighth.
 
Keller got out of a first and third, one-out jam in the top of the first and the offense took over from there. A walk, double and walk loaded the bases and senior Tyler Hermann opened the scoring with an RBI-single. Porcaro's ground out scored another before Varsho made it 4-0 with a single to right that chased home two more.
 
Koenig, Porcaro and Varsho all added RBI-singles in the second to make it 7-0 and the big nine-run fifth inning put it away.
 
Game two of the series will start at 1 p.m. Saturday at Henry Aaron Field.