FAIRBORN, Ohio – The Milwaukee baseball team opened the 2019 Horizon League Baseball Championships with a dominating 12-3 win over No. 6 seed Youngstown State Wednesday evening from Nischwitz Stadium at Wright State University.
 
Having seen the Penguins (13-41) just three days ago and falling in the final game of the series, the Panthers (33-19-1) started out of the gates on fire, scoring all 12 runs in the first four innings of the game. Pitching was also pivotal for the Panthers getting a solid start from ace Jared Reklaitis (9-4) and strong performances from the bullpen.
 
"I think coming out and getting the momentum was big for us considering they beat us last Saturday," said Panther head coach Scott Doffek. "We forced their pitcher in the zone early on, and got a big two-out hit to get the momentum on our side which was key."
 
The two out hit coach Doffek reffered to was in the bottom of the first with two on and in scoring position, senior catcher Tyler Bordner put the Panthers on the scoreboard first hitting a triple to right field scoring both Mike Ferri and Joe Vyskocil. The next at-bat, Bordner later scored in a wild pitch before the inning ended for a three-run advantage.
 
Up 3-0, the Panthers add to the lead with a leadoff home run from Joe Vyskocil – his eighth of the season. Milwaukee kept the offensive pressure on when MKE followed with a Bordner single, Colin Kreiter walk and Mitch Buban single to load the bases. Senior Matt Quartel then broke the game open with a bases clearing double to right center to put the Panthers up, 7-0.
 
The Penguin tallied a run in the top of the fourth, but the Panthers answered back with one and then some scoring a total of five runs on four hits in the inning. After back-to-back hits from Trevor Schwecke and start Vyskocil to start the inning, Bordner hit his second triple of the game clearing the bases once again. The scoring continued when pinch hitter Jack Kraus cleared the left field fence scoring Bordner and Kreiter for a comfortable 12-1 lead.
 
In the top of the fifth, starting pitcher Jared Reklaitis sat down the Penguins in order before exiting. With a commanding lead and the potential of needing the Sheboygan native later in the tournament, Reklaitis ended the day scattering five hits while allowing just one run and four strikeouts.
 
"Reklaitis got into a little trouble early in the game with runners on base, but he didn't give up any runs which was huge," said Doffek. "He really locked in when he needed to and got the out to end the inning and to get us back in the dugout and let our bats swing."
 
From the fifth inning on, Penguins added two runs, but the Milwaukee bullpen kept YSU in check allowing just two runs on four hits in four innings of work.
 
Jack Kraus made his debut for the Panthers on the mound in the top ninth and recorded his first collegiate strikeout against the very first YSU batter. Kraus surrendered a walk and a hit but struck out Lucas Nasonti to end the game with MKE on top, 12-3.
 
"Jack came up big for us today with his pinch hit three-run home run, and did it for us on the mound as well," said Doffek. "He has power potential and I think we'll see a lot more of it moving forward in his career."
 
The Black & Gold pounded out a total of 11 hits with Tyler Bordner leading the way. Bordner ended the day with a 4-for-5performance with four RBI and three runs scored. Vyskocil chipped in with two hits with a home run and three runs scored.
 
With the win, No. 3 Milwaukee will advance to play No. 2 UIC Thursday afternoon. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. (CT) from Nischwitz Stadium.