Panthers Come Up Short Against Flames, 4-2
 
CHICAGO, Ill. – In a close game, the Milwaukee baseball team was unable to come up with the big hit Saturday against the UIC Flames game dropping the second game of the series, 4-2, from Curtis Granderson Stadium.
 
The Milwaukee (26-17, 13-9) pitching staff held UIC (20-19, 13-9) to just four runs while scattering eight hits, but the offense totaled nine runners left on base in Saturday's pitchers dual and a clutch hit away from coming away with the win. The Panthers and Flames are now tied for second behind Wright State who are 15-8 in league play.
 
"I thought we pitched well and played very good defense throughout the game today," said head coach Scott Doffek. "We had several opportunities to come up with the big hit, and the difference has been two out hits and hitting with guys in scoring position. This is good lineup, and I'm confident that it will turn."
 
Down a run after one, the Panthers looked to even the score when Devin Rybacki reached on a throwing error by UIC's Matt Bottcher and Matt Quartel tried scoring from first. UIC's first baseman chased the ball down quick enough, however, to throw Quartel out at home and keep the 1-0 lead.
 
The black & gold took advantage of another error from Bottcher advancing Tyler Bordner to third who drew a walk to lead off the fifth inning. Bordner crossed the plate a batter later after an infield groundball and come within two runs of the 3-1 UIC lead.
 
Between the sixth and seventh innings, MKE left five runners on base and were only able to plate one in the two innings. Despite leaving runners on, the Panthers came within one run when Bordner scored again off another UIC error.
 
After adding an insurance run in the eighth, the Panthers remained in the fight when Mitchell Buban walked and Devin Rybacki hit an infield single. UIC's Alex Padilla shut down any hopes of a Panther comeback when he got Colin Kreiter to fly out to center to end the game.
 
Elijah Goodman took the loss pitching 4.1 innings, surrendering just three runs on five hits while striking out four. The Panther bullpen was equally as good today with Nick Winter and George Swedie combining for one run on three hits in 3.2 innings.
 
The final game of the series between the Panthers and Flames is set for Sunday, May 5 from Curtis Granderson Stadium. First pitch will be thrown at 12:05 p.m.