CHICAGO – Milwaukee scored five runs in the fifth-inning, punctuated by a three-run home run by Dylan O'Connell, but it was not enough as the Panthers fell to host UIC, 12-5, on Tuesday afternoon.
 
The Flames scored the first six runs of the game, including home runs by Thomas Curry, Jake Busson, and Ashton Kampa over the first four innings. After Milwaukee closed the deficit to one, UIC responded by scoring the final six runs of the contest, including a five-run seventh to put the game out of reach.
 
Milwaukee got six hits on the day, with Charlie Marion and Christian Holmes recording two apiece. Grant Ross also reached base twice via walk.
 
Tristan Arnold got the start for the Panthers and allowed two runs over the first three innings. Alex Vander Loop followed and surrendered the next four runs, allowing UIC to build a six-run lead.
 
"We were not able to get ahead early in the count and pitch with leverage consistently in the game," said head coach Shaun Wegner. "They were able to put some big swings of balls when they got into the hitters' counts and had us chasing from behind."
 
In the fifth, the Panthers got to UIC's fourth pitcher of the, scoring four runs off Michael Vitellaro. Payton Barton then entered and allowed O'Connell's three-run home run to cap the inning.
 
"We were able to throw up a five spot and tighten the game, topped off by O'Connell's home run, but then we proceeded to fall into that same pattern," Wegner continued. "While we did not have any errors on the board, there was a time where a couple of key opportunities missed really hurt us."
 
Barton allowed a one-out single to Marion in the sixth, which proved to be the last hit of the game for the Panther offense.
 
UIC added a run in the sixth on a groundout before breaking the game open with five runs in the seventh, as Milwaukee used four pitchers in the inning.
 
The Panthers drew a walk in the eighth and put a pair of baserunners on in the ninth but were unable to push any additional runs across as UIC closed out the victory.
 
Milwaukee also stole six bases in the game, including two by Holmes, to tying its season high.
 
"Now we turn our attention to a big series against Youngstown State, one that we get to host as we head into Easter weekend," Wegner said. "This will be a big test to find out what we're made of."
 
Milwaukee will host the Penguins of Youngstown State for a three-game set beginning with Friday's doubleheader. First pitch of game one will take place at 12:00 p.m., with the games available on ESPN+ and audio streaming on the Varsity Network App (App Store / Google Play), and at MKEPanthers.com/Watch.