The Milwaukee Panthers ended a three-game series Saturday afternoon with a final score of 7-5, falling short of the Youngstown State Penguins.
Before the contest started, Milwaukee honored graduating seniors Q Phillips, Gabe Roessler, Teige Lethert, Mike Sullivan, Gavin Theis, Logan Schulfer, Tyler Bickers, Keagon Kaufmann, Thomas Otto, Justin Hausser, Logan Snow, Isaac Wenzel, Caden Headlee, and Student Manager Cainan Squibb. Seniors received a commemorative painting and invited their family members to join them on the field for a ceremonial first pitch.
“It means a lot [to play at UWM],” said Otto, a Neenah, WI native. “Milwaukee’s the only Division 1 program in the state. I was pretty nervous coming in my freshman year, but right away, you’re welcomed into a big family.”
Bickers led Milwaukee’s performance in the series against Youngstown State. Following his total 10 hits in the series, including 3 during Saturday’s contest, Bickers’ season average is up to .387.
Youngstown State took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning. With an RBI double in the top of the third, Cole Smith took Youngstown State to a 4-0 lead. Milwaukee scored in the bottom of the third with an RBI ground out from Roessler.
During the fourth inning, YSU earned a pair of home runs. UWM’s Charlie Marion scored a 2-run homer with a slice to right field, cutting the deficit to four.
Milwaukee’s momentum changed significantly in the ninth inning. Headlee caught back-to-back fly balls to the center field wall, securing two consecutive outs against Youngstown State. UWM’s Snow struck out YSU’s Nathan Beckley in a quick 1-2-3 inning.
Headlee started off the bottom of the inning with a walk to first. A single from Tate Schmidt to center field allowed Headlee to advance. Phillips earned a 2 RBI double with a hit to left center. Following a throwing error and a pitching change, Hausser’s grounded out to the YSU shortstop sealing Milwaukee’s fate.
With Milwaukee’s 7-5 loss on Saturday, the YSU Penguins secured the series win. Milwaukee stands at 13-24 overall and 10-7 in conference play.
Milwaukee starts a four-game road trip in Ohio before returning home on Tuesday, April 29, with a matinee game against Northern Illinois. The Panthers play the MSOE Raiders on Wednesday, April 30. Ending the homestand, the Panthers will contest the Northern Kentucky Norse in a three-game series starting Friday, May 2.