The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater baseball on Saturday, May 17 became the first team to clinch their spot in the 2025 NCAA Super Regional after defeating host-school Adrian College, 4-1, in the regional final.
Editor’s note: As was announced in a previous Banner article, Warhawk Softball is also heading to a Super Regional.
The Warhawks took an early 4-1 lead & then pitched 7.0 innings of shut-out baseball for the win over the Bulldogs. UWW will play the winner of UW-Oshkosh/UChicago in the Super Regional round. (Editor’s note: The Warhawks will be playing Oshkosh, as they beat UChicago 10-2.)
The Warhawks got off to a quick start, hitting a lead-off single in the first three innings. UWW had the bases loaded with no outs in the bottom of the second, scoring on a sacrifice fly from Dominik McVay (Mineral Point, Wis./Mineral Point) to open the scoring.
Adrian was able to tie the game up in the top of the third with their own sacrifice fly. However, the Warhawks juiced the bases back up in the bottom of the frame. With three outs to work with, Danny Hopper (Palatine, Ill./Palatine) hit a two-RBI single followed by another RBI from Sam Paden (Libertyville, Ill./Libertyville) to give the Warhawks a 4-1 advantage after three complete.
Ben Lee (Amherst, Wis./Amherst) kept things moving defensively for the Warhawks, only allowing three hits in the next four innings. The Warhawk offense were held in check by Adrian as well, not able to string any hits together like the beginning of the game. But with the defense working on their end, UWW kept the 4-1 lead heading into the seventh inning stretch.
Ethan Wickman (Spring Green, Wis./River Valley) came in for Lee in the 8th, striking out two and allowing only one base runner with the walk to maintain the lead.
Down to their final three outs, the Bulldogs went to their pinch hitters to keep their shot alive. Wickman notched another two outs, but Adrian loaded the bases to bring the go-ahead run to the plate.
Jack Hagen (San Clemente, Cal./San Clemente) got the call on the mound for the final out, which he only needed four pitches for, forcing a weak ground ball to third base. Hopper stepped on the bag to secure the victory and send the Warhawks to the Super Regional for the second consecutive season.
The Warhawks will play the winner of the Gustavus Adolphus regional, taking on either UW-Oshkosh or UChicago. Check uwwsports.com/sports/baseball for more information. (Editor’s note: The Warhawks will be playing Oshkosh on Friday, May 23, as they beat UChicago 10-2. Location and time to be announced.)
