DeKALB, Ill. - Eric Solberg's home run to lead off the seventh inning tied the game and Nick Unes plated the go-ahead run later in the inning to send the Milwaukee baseball team to a 7-6 victory over Northern Illinois University Tuesday afternoon at Ralph McKinzie Field.
 
The Panthers (15-16) built a 5-1 lead, only to see the Huskies (12-24) use a huge sixth-inning rally to forge ahead. But, Milwaukee responded quickly, making it a new game on the second pitch Solberg saw before manufacturing the eventual game-winning run.
 
"I think it was really important, especially coming off Sunday where we gave up that big five-spot in the eighth against UIC and did not come back in that game," Milwaukee head coach Scott Doffek said.
 
Jake Tuttle made sure it stayed that way, striking out all five batters he faced after coming on in the eighth inning for his third save of the season.
 
"Tuttle was just outstanding in the eighth and ninth," Doffek said. "I know one thing, you can't do any better. He threw a good fastball, he threw a good breaking ball for strikes. When he does that, he's just really tough to hit."
 
Cole Heili went 2-for-2 with a home run, two walks, two RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base. Solberg went 2-for-5 and stole a base and Chris Kelly was 2-for-4 with a run scored. Luke Meeteer had a hit, scored twice and knocked in a run.
 
"Heili had quality at bats all day," Doffek said. "Kelly came up with a couple of big hits, but he also made a couple of really big plays in right field that might have changed the game."
 
Jake Sommers (2-1) picked up the win after allowing a run in 2.0 innings of work. He walked one and struck out two.
 
The Panthers responded quickly after giving up the big lead. Solberg's first home run of the season – a deep blast to right field – quickly turned the tide. Meeteer then was hit by a pitch, went to third on a throwing error and gave UWM the 7-6 lead when he came home on an RBI-groundout by Unes.
 
The Huskies reversed course in the sixth, taking the lead after scoring five runs on four hits. The Panthers helped them along with a pair of walks and a hit batter.
 
Milwaukee jumped on the board in the second inning, getting a long home run down the left field line off the bat of Heili. His fifth home run of the season made it 1-0 and started a stretch of four innings in a row in which the Panthers plated runs.
 
Solberg knocked in a run in the third and Meeteer followed with a sac fly to make it 3-0 before the Huskies tallied an unearned run in their half of the frame.
 
UWM was right back at it in the fourth, going up 4-1 on a double to right center by Unes. It tacked on another in the fifth when Heili doubled in Meeteer to make it 5-1.
 
Elijah Goodman posted a solid effort in his first collegiate start. He worked the first four innings, allowing just one unearned run. He gave up three hits, walked two, struck out one and left with a 5-1 lead.
 
"He did a good job," Doffek said. "He's one of those guys we have to get going. He is capable of being a factor for us and I thought he did a nice job."
 
Up next, the team will attempt to once again hold its home opener tomorrow, welcoming Edgewood College to Henry Aaron Field after 31 games on the road. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. but check the website for updates with the forecast once again calling for rain.