ROCHESTER, Mich. – The Milwaukee baseball team picked up a 16-6 victory over Oakland Friday afternoon after dropping the first game of the doubleheader by a score of 6-3.
 
The Panthers (8-15, 4-4) struggled offensively in game one, but belted out 16 runs against the Grizzlies (5-18, 3-5) to split the doubleheader.
 
"Austin (Schulfer) did a nice job early and allowed our offense to take control, but unfortunately we threw away too many at bats," said head coach Scott Doffek. "We had our opportunities, but we didn't adjust to what their pitcher (Nick Parr) was throwing."
 
The Panthers tried rallying back five runs down in the top of the ninth, but came up short falling 6-3.
 
A walk and a Grizzlies error led to the Panthers first run of the game in the top of the third. Ben Chally began the inning with the walk and advanced to third after Trevor Schwecke reached on an error by the Grizzlies right fielder. One at-bat later, Colin Kreiter grounded out to the first baseman for the second out, but Ferri scored on the ball to the right side.
 
The Golden Grizzlies answered right away in the bottom of the third, and added two runs in the sixth and seventh innings for a 6-1 lead.
 
Down five runs in the ninth, pinch hitter Jack Kraus singled to left center to begin the comeback. Following Kraus, classmate Mitch Buban doubled and Kraus advanced to third. A fielder's choice and single gave two runs, cutting the lead 6-3, but the rally ended after a pop out to second.
 
In game two, the Panthers came out with an edge scoring 16 runs on 13 hits to earn the split with Oakland. Jake Sommers (2-5) threw a solid five innings scattering four hits, allowing one run and struck out six to earn the win.
 
"[Jake] Sommers threw the ball well early on and we took advantage of situations early," Doffek said. "[Patrick] Tomfohrde was outstanding out of the pen in a big spot, and it was exciting to see Elijah Goodman trending up and coming back from injury."
 
Milwaukee took a commanding five run lead right away in the second inning. Tyler Bordner led off with a solo homerun to left center for his third of the season. Patience by the Panther offense proved successful as Milwaukee took the free base three times within the inning. Four more runs crossed the plate after singles from Kraus, Buban and Kreiter.
 
The Golden Grizzlies allowed 12 walks to the Panthers and Milwaukee capitalized on the free passes not only in the second inning, but also in the final three frames of the game.
 
In each of the final three innings the Panthers led off with a walk and eventually each of them scored. Tie the walks in with timely hitting, Panthers score four runs in both the seventh and eighth inning while adding two in the ninth for a dominating 16-2 lead.
 
Oakland scored four in the bottom of the ninth, but a double-digit comeback proved too tough.
 
UWM had five players with multi hit performances. Ben Chally chalked up three hits with three RBI and a double. Mike Ferri, Colin Kreiter, Tyler Bordner and Jack Kraus each had two hits as well.
 
With rain once again in the forecast, the final game of the series has been moved up to a 9 a.m. central start time Sat., March 31.