By Chris Lindeke
Assistant Athletic Director, Strategic Communications and Branding
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Wednesday, May 12, 2021
No. 3 Warhawk Baseball Splits on the Road
The No. 3 ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater baseball team retained its first-place standing in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference standings Wednesday with an 11-1 victory at UW-Eau Claire.
The Warhawks (31-5 overall, 22-4 WIAC) saw their 11-game winning streak snapped in the opener with an 11-1 setback in seven innings before rebounding in the nightcap.
UW-Whitewater broke open Game 2 with a four-run top of the fourth inning that included a run-scoring single by centerfielder Zach Campbell, a two-run double by third baseman Tucker Criswell and a sacrifice bunt by right fielder Jacob DeMeyer to plate a run.
Pitcher Matt O’Sullivan allowed one run and struck out 10 over eight innings to improve to 9-0 on the year. Connor Moroder pitched around a two-out walk for a scoreless ninth frame.
Campbell finished with three hits, including a solo homer to lead off the game, and added two runs scored and four runs batted in. Designated hitter Ben Wilkins collected three hits, including one double, and tallied two runs scored and one RBI.
Shortstop Nick Santoro registered two hits, one run scored and one RBI, and second baseman Sam Vomhof and catcher Ryan Norton each reached base three times with two walks and one hit while scoring one run. First baseman Donovan Brandl also knocked in one run.
In the first game, the Warhawks were held to a season-low two hits, and the Blugolds (5-31, 5-21) broke a 1-1 tie with two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning and three in the bottom of the fifth. UW-Eau Claire added five more in the bottom of the seventh to end the game via run rule.
Left fielder Matt Korman plated a run for UW-W with a groundout in the fourth inning, and recorded one hit. Santoro reached base twice with one hit and one walk, and DeMeyer walked and scored one run.
Pitcher Westin Muir dropped to 7-1 with the loss, tossing 4 2/3 innings. Brandl, Hayden Fox and Trey Bretl all appeared in relief.
UW-Whitewater hosts UW-Eau Claire for two more league games this Saturday. First pitch of the doubleheader is slated for 1 p.m. at Prucha Field at Miller Stadium.
