UW-Whitewater notched six extra-base hits in an 8-5 victory over Grinnell College Friday in Auburndale, Florida. The Warhawks are now 2-0 on their spring trip and 5-2 overall, while Grinnell falls to 1-7 this season.
Dylan Friend (Burlington/Burlington) doubled in one run and Marty Herum (River Falls/River Falls) tripled in one more in the top of the first to give the Warhawks a 2-0 lead, a lead they never relinquished.
Grinnell inched closer at 2-1 in the bottom of the fourth, but UW-W used two runs in the top of the fifth and two more in the top of the sixth to go up 6-1.
A bases loaded single to right by Sam Keller Jr. (Milwaukee/Riverside) scored one in the fifth and a fielder's choice plated the other.
JT Schneider (Oak Creek/Oak Creek) doubled to lead off the sixth and came in to score after a sac bunt and a single to center. The second run in the sixth came in off of a Jared Fon (Germantown/Germantown) single to left field.
The Pioneers responded with two in the bottom of the seventh to make it 6-3 and keep things interesting but UW-W countered with one in the eighth and one in the ninth. The eighth inning run was scored by David Cladis (Joliet, IL/Joliet Catholic) on a sacrifice fly by Fon, and the run in the ninth was by Mikole Pierce (DePere/DePere) who tripled and came in to score on a single by Mike Mierow (Brookfield/Central).
Grinnell put together a bit of a rally scoring two in the bottom of the ninth but the Warhawks held on to win 8-5.
Tom Kerndt (Lansing, IA/Lansing) earned the win and improves to 2-0 this season. Kerndt pitched eight innings, scattering six hits, three strikeouts and one walk.
The Warhawk defense committed five errors but turned two double plays.
UW-W will take on Benedictine on Saturday at 10 am (EST) in Auburndale.