DAYTON, Ohio - Dylan Detert hit a home run in the top of the ninth inning to tie the game up, only to see Wright State rally with one of its own in the bottom of the inning to claim the walkoff 2-1 victory Friday afternoon at Nischwitz Stadium.
The Panthers (7-13, 0-5 Horizon League) and Raiders (14-7, 5-0 Horizon League) were locked in a pitcher's duel in game two of the doubleheader, combing for just one run and nine hits through the first eight innings of the contest.
The ninth was full of action, with Detert launching a home run to left field to knot the score at 1-1. WSU was up to the task in its half, getting a two-out base hit from Matt Morrow to end it and improve the squad to 7-1 at home this season following its 5-2 victory in game one of the twinbill.
"In game one, I thought their pitcher was just really good," Milwaukee head coach
Scott Doffek said. "He really pounded the bottom half of the zone with some late life. I thought we barreled a lot of balls, but just could not elevate anything on him."
Elijah Goodman pitched a gem in the nightcap despite not being involved in the decision, allowing just one run on three hits in his 6.0 innings of work. He walked three and struck out two.
"Game two was a little more of the same," Doffek said. "He pitched well and so did Goodman. I was really encouraged with how Adam threw it also. Baseball is a cruel game sometimes … we just have to keep fighting and stay positive – we are right there."
Adam Reuss (0-3) took the loss. He gave up the lone run in the ninth, part of a 2.2-inning outing in which he walked one and struck out three.
The Panthers had six hits in the game – in addition to Detert,
Devin Rybacki,
Daulton Varsho,
Ben Chally and
Jeremy Wright all put base knocks in the hit column.
Morrow finished with three hits to pace Wright State. Adrian Marquez knocked in the other run in the fifth to break up the scoreless affair.
In the opener, the Panthers were stymied by Danny Sexton, who improved to a perfect 5-0 on the season with the win. Through his eight innings of work, he limited UWM to just three hits, striking out four and walking just one.
However, he was pulled to open the ninth inning up 5-0 and Milwaukee immediately staged a healthy rally.
Chris Kelly and
Ian Ross opened the frame with singles and both came home on Varsho's triple to left field.
Varsho then was chased home on an infield out one batter later, bringing the tying run to the plate. However, Derek Hendrickson was able to induce a pop-up on the infield to close it out for his third save of the season.
The Panthers had six hits, no player with more than one in the opener.
Trevor Schwecke had the other RBI.
Austin Schulfer (3-3) allowed five runs in 5.2 innings on the mound, walking three and striking out two.
The series concludes with just a single game tomorrow, getting underway at 10 a.m. CST in order to help beat the incoming weather Saturday evening.
