EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Dominic Kibler tied the game at nine with a two-run single in the ninth, and Charlie Marion connected on the go-ahead base hit as Milwaukee opened the weekend series with a win over Evansville by a 12-9 score.
 
Kibler finished with four RBIs, while Marion and Bradyn Horn each drove in a pair. The Panthers also recorded a season-high 18 hits, including four from Dylan O'Connell and three apiece from John Hadley VI and Christian Holmes.

"Ultimately, we were able to come away with the victory, which is the most important piece," said head coach Shaun Wegner. "Offensively, we stung the ball all day but had far too many opportunities that we did not capitalize on with 12 runners left on base. We found a way in the ninth to stay on the throttle and come away with that big inning. It showed great resilience from the lineup."
 
Gavin Theis made his first start of the season for the Panthers and struck out four over 5 2/3 innings, allowing one hit and five runs. Walks were problematic for Milwaukee, which issued 12 free passes, hit batter, and threw four wild pitches.

"It was good to see Gavin back on the mound in the panther uniform," Wegner added. "I don't think anyone was too pleased with the number of free bases we allowed, and I know our staff is going to do a better job tomorrow of limiting the freebies. If we want a chance to win the series tomorrow, we need to put a more complete game together."
 
Holmes opened the scoring in the top of the third with a leadoff home run. O'Connell followed with a bunt single before consecutive doubles by Marion and Horn made it 3-0.
 
In the next inning, Max Glusick singled and stole second before Hadley VI brought him home with a single. Kibler later drove in two more to double the Panthers' lead to six.
 
A three-run home run by Reid Haire in the bottom of the fourth cut the Milwaukee lead to three, before the Purple Aces tied the game with three more runs in the sixth off Theis and Tyler Hrin, without recording a hit in the inning.
 
O'Connell doubled to lead off the eighth and later scored on a passed ball to put Milwaukee ahead, 7-6. However, Evansville responded with a three-run frame in the bottom half of the inning, again without a hit.
 
In the top of the ninth, Hadley VI and Holmes reached on back-to-back singles before Grand Ross was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Kibler tied the score at nine with a two-run single and then stole second before O'Connell reloaded the bases with an infield hit. Marion followed with a go-ahead single, and the Panthers added two more on a ground ball that allowed two runs to score, aided by an Evansville error.
 
Camden Kuhnke, who registered the final two outs in the eighth, finished off the game and earned his first win of the season.
 
Drue Young took the loss after allowing five runs over 1/3 of an inning in the ninth. The Panthers did damage to the Purple Aces starter Kenton Deverman, chasing him after 3 1/3 innings in which he allowed 10 hits for six runs.
 
Milwaukee and Evansville will play game two of the series at Braun Stadium on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m.