BEAUMONT, Texas - The Milwaukee baseball team had the season opener delayed by almost six hours, eventually falling to Illinois by a score of 10-2 Friday evening in the Cardinal Classic at Vincent-Beck Stadium.
 
Opening Day became Opening Night for the Panthers (0-1), who were unable to overcome a quick start by the Fighting Illini (1-0) and also unable to take advantage of early opportunities on offense in dropping the first game of the 2017 campaign.
 
Daulton Varsho and Ben Chally each tallied RBI-singles to provide the scoring. The pitching staff combined to strike out 13 batters, with relievers posting four scoreless frames through the middle of the contest after Illinois took advantage of three walks, three wild pitches and an error to plate five runs in the first inning.
 
"We had a tough time relaxing early in that game," Milwaukee head coach Scott Doffek said. "You get behind like that early and it's going to be tough. We really struggled in all three phases."
 
UWM left the bases loaded in the first and stranded six runners over the first three innings, leaving 11 on base for the day.
 
Chally knocked in the first run of the season, plating Varsho in the fifth with a single through the right side.
 
Three consecutive relievers threw scoreless frames at that point. John Moynihan, George Swedie and Reed Blake all recorded two strikeouts apiece in their one inning of work. Alex Fischer threw the final frame, also striking out two.
 
"I was encouraged with what I saw from some of the younger guys tonight," Doffek said. "I fully expect we will come out tomorrow and be better. It's a quicker turnaround, so we will need to flush this out and come out ready to compete."
 
Cole Heili, Matt Quartel, Dylan Detert and Chris Kelly all added singles. Jack Yalowitz and Michael Massey had three hits apiece to lead the Illini.
 
The Panthers were scheduled to play two games Friday. The second game was postponed and will now be played Saturday at 10 a.m., taking on Lamar. The team will then play the next game, against Illinois.