PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – Sophomore
Ryan Stanicek (Loves Park, Ill./Boylan Catholic) hit his first career home run in a pivotal seventh inning as the UW-Stevens Point baseball team (10-10, 3-3) won game one, 10-8, in a split at UW-Platteville (17-8, 2-4) on Thursday. The Pointers dropped game two, 8-1, after an early 1-0 lead.
Stanicek's first career home run was a grand slam capping a seven-run seventh inning in the game one victory. It was one of two hits for Stanicek, who scored twice in the game.
Senior
Ben Gerber (Stoughton, Wis./Stoughton) had a hit in each game and drove in a run in both games. He hit his first career home run in game two to account for the UWSP scoring.
Fellow senior
Clint Rose (Watertown, Wis./Watertown) drew four walks on the day and scored a run.
Tyler Thomka (Muskego, Wis./Muskego) had two hits, drew a walk, scored a run and drove in another in the win.
Game 1 – UWSP 10, UWP 8
The Pointers fell behind in game one as the Pioneers tallied three runs on four singles and a walk in the bottom of the first.
In the top of the second, UWSP evened the score. Stanicek reached on a bunt single with one away. He stole second and following a
John Popham (Waupaca, Wis./Waupaca ) walk, he scored on a single by Thomka.
Jordan Carlson (Madison, Wis./Madison La Follette) drew a walk and another run scored as ball four was a wild pitch. With two runners in scoring position,
Tommy Duddleston (Chicago, Ill./De La Salle Institute) dropped a sacrifice bunt to tie the game at 3-3.
UW-Platteville broke the tie with an unearned run in the bottom of the fourth.
Popham began the rally in the seventh with a leadoff walk. Following a Thomka single, Carlson doubled to plate the first run. Two batters later, Gerber singled to put the Pointers in front. Walks to Rose and Mrozinski loaded the bases. After a
William Iloncaie (East Troy, Wis./East Troy) fielder's choice scored another, Stanicek stepped in with the bases chucked. He belted a grand slam to put UWSP up, 10-4.
The Pioneers responded in the bottom of the frame. Three hits and a walk allowed the home side to put up three runs and make it a 10-7 game.
UW-Platteville added a run in the bottom of the ninth.
Alex Stodola (Coleman, Wis./Coleman) came on in relief to lock down the win with a pair of strikeouts and left the bases loaded to end the game.
Game 2 – UWSP 1, UWP 8
Gerber led off the third inning with a solo home run to put the Pointers in front. It was the senior's first career long ball.
In the bottom of the fourth, a UWSP error opened the inning and the door for the Pioneers. Three singles and a sac fly put UWP up, 2-1.
The Pioneers blew the game open with six runs in the sixth inning. Five hits and two walks contributed to the big inning.
UWSP's offense was stagnant in game two, mustering just four hits, all coming in separate innings.
The Pointers and Pioneers wrap up the series on Friday with first pitch of the doubleheader moved up to 10:00 a.m.
