WHITEWATER, Wis. – The UW-Stevens Point baseball team open conference play with a split against No.2 UW-Whitewater today handing the Warhawks their first loss of the season. UW-Stevens Point took the first game 8-3, while dropping the night cap, 6-1.

UW-Stevens Point took (7-9, 1-1 WIAC) game one of the doubleheader, winning 8-3. Pointers' starter, Mark Kowalke (Baraboo, WI/Baraboo) (3-1) pitched his way to his third win of the season, pitching 5.1 solid innings, scattering nine hits and surrendering three runs. Cole Erickson (Deerfield, WI/Deerfield) fired in the remaining 3.2 innings allowing just one hit and struck out five Warhawks.

Offensively, the first three hitters combined for six of the seven Pointers hits. The Pointers were led by Ben Gerber (Stoughton, WI/Stoughton) and Ray Greco (Downers Grove, IL/North) who collectively went 5-for-10 driving in two runs.

The Pointers did majority of their scoring in the top of the third inning, scoring four runs on two Warhawk back-to-back errors.

In the top of the ninth, Tyler Thomka (Muskego, WI/Muskego) took a free pass to first base after William Iloncaie (East Troy, WI/East Troy) field out to centerfield. After a Pointer single, Greco doubled to left field, adding to the Pointers lead. On three hits in the inning, the Pointers took an 8-3 lead.

In a last chance effort for the Warhawks, Cole Erickson (Deerfield, WI/Deerfield) sat the Warhawks down in order.

In game two, Whitewater's (12-1, 1-1 WIAC) pitcher, Curtis Morgan(3-0) shut down the Pointers, allowing just three hits, one run and struck out eight Pointers in eight innings of work.

Peter Strommen (Madison, WI/East) knocked in the lone run for the Pointers in the top of the third inning.

Whitewater out-hit the Pointers 11-3, and scored in four of the five innings.

Both teams return to action tomorrow, Sun., April 10 at 12 p.m. at Miller Stadium.