KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The Milwaukee baseball team jumped out to a three-run lead in the first inning and never looked back, topping Villanova Saturday at the D9 Sunshine State Classic by a final score of 7-4.
The Panthers (2-0) got a bases-clearing double from
Mike Ferri in the first inning in building a 5-0 lead. The Wildcats (0-2) would close the gap, but the game was never in doubt, as Milwaukee stayed perfect on the new season.
"It was not the prettiest of games but we did enough," head coach
Scott Doffek said. "We got a quality start from Goody (Goodman) which was very encouraging. It was a great day to hit, so to come in here and hold them to four runs was good. Hopefully tomorrow we come out and put all phases together."
Mitchell Buban led the way with a 4-for-5 day at the plate, which included a big hit in the top of the eighth that extended the lead to 7-3 after the Wildcats had made some noise on offense.
Elijah Goodman started and threw well, going the first 4.0 innings without allowing a run. He did give up four hits, walking three while striking out four.
The first inning could not have started better, with singles by
Devin Rybacki and Buban to open the contest. Two outs later a walk loaded the bases, setting the table for Ferri to come through with the clutch RBI's, chasing everyone home with a double to left field.
Jack Kraus blasted a home run to lead off the second and
Trevor Schwecke had a sac fly to help MKE build that 5-0 advantage.
The Wildcats picked up three unearned runs in the seventh to get on the board. Buban's single to center field in the top of the next inning iced it.
Alex McIntosh picked up the first save of his MKE career, allowing no hits over the final 1.2 innings while striking out a pair.
Matt Quartel went 2-for-3 as the only other Panther with a multi-hit outing. Ferri's three RBI led the team, while Buban knocked in the two runs and also scored once.
Matt Vanek (1-0) picked up the win with 3.0 innings of work in which he did not allow an earned run. He walked no one and struck out three.
Milwaukee closes out the season-opening trip to Florida with a matchup against Pittsburgh Sunday, set for a first pitch of 12:30 p.m. CST.
