DURHAM, N.C. – The Panthers scored six runs over the final two innings to erase a 5-3 deficit in game two of a twinbill, as Milwaukee claimed a 9-6 victory after falling 10-8 earlier in the afternoon.
 
Charlie Marion delivered the key go-ahead two-run single in the top of the eighth in game two, before Christian Holmes and Dylan O'Connell added insurance runs to give the Panthers breathing room.
 
Starter Tyler Hrin did not factor into the decision but turned in five strong innings in his starting debut. Hrin struck out six and allowed just one earned run.
 
"Today we did some really good things, and we were able to come away with the first win of the year," said head coach Shaun Wegner. "I'm proud of the grit and resilience we showed today, especially game two. We got an outstanding effort from Tyler [Hrin] on the mound and backed it up with solid outings from Ishida, Riel and Kuhnke. Our offense really made Duke work, and we were able to really pressure them on the basepaths."
 
"We have to find a way to clean up to defensive side of the baseball and start to limit extra opportunities," added Wegner. "While I will never apologize for a victory, we need to chase a clean game of baseball for our next win."
 
GAME TWO
Hrin and Duke starter Ben Dean were locked in an early duel until Milwaukee broke through in the third inning, when Dominic Kibler homered to right-center to snap the scoreless tie.
 
Duke answered immediately with two runs in the bottom of the third before the Panthers countered with a run in the fourth, as Tristan Ellis drove in John Hadley VI, who had a single to lead off the inning.
 
Milwaukee took its first lead of the game in the fifth. O'Connell led off the frame with a single and then stole second. A few batters later, Max Glusick recorded an infield single to put the Panthers ahead, 3-2.
 
Sotaro Ishida retired the Blue Devils in order in the sixth but ran into trouble in the seventh. A leadoff walk, aided by an error, and a pair of sacrifice flies gave Duke a 5-3 lead.
 
Cade Palkowski singled with two strikes to lead off the eighth and stole second. Ryan Lemm brought him home with a single and later scored on a sacrifice fly by O'Connell to tie the game. With two runners on, Marion capitalized with a two-run single to swing the lead back in favor of the Panthers.
 
After Cullen Riel tossed a scoreless eighth, Milwaukee's bats went back to work in the ninght. Glusick ignited the rally with a leadoff walk, and Holmes and O'Connell added insurance runs to extend Milwaukee's advantage to four.
 
Camden Kuhnke came on for the ninth and escaped with just one run to secure the win.
 
Ishida earned the win, his first of the season.
 
GAME ONE
The Panthers jumped on Duke starter Matthew Nochowitz early, taking advantage of five walks, including four in the first inning. Lemm and Holmes each collected RBIs on bases-loaded walks, while Hadley VI followed with a drive to centerfield to give Milwaukee an early six-run lead.
 
Duke chipped away with two in the first and two more in the second off Milwaukee starter Aric Ehmke. The Blue Devils then scored six more in the third to take a 10-6 advantage into the middle innings.
 
After managing just one baserunner over the previous three innings, O'Connell doubled to lead off the fifth and later stole third. He came in to score on a groundout to trim the deficit to three.
 
Aiden Fishnick was strong in relief of Ehmke, retiring the first five batters he faced before escaping a jam in the fifth.
 
The Panthers pulled within one in the sixth but left the bases loaded with a chance to tie or take the lead.
 
In the seventh, Lemm reached on a one-out single, but Milwaukee was unable to capitalize as Duke held on for the 10-8 victory.
 
UP NEXT
Milwaukee and Duke will wrap up their four-game set on Sunday afternoon at Jack Coombs Field. First pitch is set for 12:00 p.m. (CT).