Panthers Complete Weekend Sweep Of Cleveland StateMay 5, 2007
Game 1: UWM 11; Cleveland State 3
MILWAUKEE - Senior Ross McCoy had seven hits in eight at bats and the starting pitchers combined to give up just two earned runs on the day to help the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee baseball team to a doubleheader sweep of Cleveland State on Saturday. The Panthers (16-26, 12-10 Horizon) outscored the Vikings (10-35, 7-13 Horizon) by a combined score of 33-8 in the three-game weekend sweep. Sophomore Andy Hetebrueg (1-2) won game two on the mound with his best outing of the season in the 10-1 decision. He faced the minimum through 7.1 innings, allowing just one hit through that span that was erased on a steal attempt. CSU did break through for a run on two hits in the eighth, but Hetebrueg was in charge from start to finish, retiring the side in order in six innings. He struck out a career-high six and did not walk a batter. "Andy (Hetebrueg) did a great job of commanding the strike zone and we played really good defense," UWM head coach Scott Doffek said. "I thought all weekend - really all week - we hit very well. You could see the confidence building. Short of a few at bats that we threw away, it was really a competitive weekend for us in the batter's box." The offense was clicking again, led by McCoy's perfect day, going 3-for-3 with an intentional walk, a home run and three runs scored. Senior Rob Brockel and junior Nick Wichser each went 2-for-4 and junior Troy Vesling was 2-for-5. Milwaukee scored 10 or more runs in game two for the fourth-straight contest (and for the fifth time in its past six outings) in winning six of seven games this week. The offensive explosion marks just the third time in the past six seasons that the Panthers have scored 10 or more runs in at least three-consecutive games.
Milwaukee used the long ball to record an 11-3 win in game one, pounding a season-best four home runs in the game. Wichser went deep twice - including a three-run shot in the fourth inning that broke open the game - pushing UWM's lead from 6-3 to 9-3 at the time. He finished the game 3-for-5 with four runs batted in, while McCoy was 4-for-5 and freshman catcher Shaun Wegner was 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Junior Grant Berkovitz had a home run, as did freshman Wes Munson - his first of the season. On the mound, junior Dan Luczak (3-7) threw seven strong innings, allowing five hits and just one earned run while striking out eight and walking only one. Junior Matt Holzheuter threw a hitless eighth and senior Tom Zimmerman struck out two of three Vikings in a perfect ninth. The Panthers extended their winning streak to a season-best four games and have now won six of seven and seven of their past nine. The team is 16-12 after an 0-14 start. "We have talked since day one that this is a process and we have to get better every day," Doffek said. "You can see that some of the guys are making those adjustments that we are looking for and are building confidence that we can hopefully ride into the [Horizon League] tournament." Milwaukee continues its season-long 13-game homestand next week with a doubleheader Tuesday against Chicago State. Game one is set for a 2 p.m. start at Henry Aaron Field. |
