WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – The No. 1 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater baseball team erased an eight-run deficit Thursday for a thrilling 12-11 come-from-behind victory over Framingham State (Mass.) in a non-conference affair at Chain 'O Lakes Park.
Trailing 10-2 through 5 1/2 innings, the Warhawks (1-0 overall) tallied five times in the bottom of the sixth and two more in the bottom of the seventh to draw to within 10-9.
After the Rams (3-5) scored in the top of the eighth to make it 11-9, UW-Whitewater completed the comeback in the bottom of the ninth.
Senior second baseman Nick Kuhlmann drew a leadoff walk in the frame, then stole second. Freshman right fielder Daytona Bryden hit an infield single to put runners at the corners for junior designated hitter Dane Burman, who lined a double down the left field line to tie the contest.
Junior Alex Hallenbeck, who came in to run for Burman, advanced to third on a single by senior catcher Mike Mierow. Senior centerfielder Kyle Haen drove home Hallenbeck with a fielder's choice ground ball to third base.
Burman finished 2-for-5 with three runs batted in. Senior shortstop Mikole Pierce smacked a two-run home run in the first inning, reached base in all five of his plate appearances and totaled three runs.
Senior first baseman Casey Power contributed two hits, while Kuhlmann and senior left fielder Trey Cannon scored two runs apiece.
Sophomore pitcher Mike Nompleggi earned the win with two strong innings of relief. The right-hander struck out three batters in two innings of work.
Framingham State registered 10 unanswered runs, plating three in the second and seven in the fifth, to take its commanding lead.
In the sixth, the Warhawks posted four hits and capitalized on two errors by the Rams. Kuhlmann hit a line drive with the bases loaded and one out, but it was caught by the first baseman, who stepped on first for a double play.
After sophomore left-hander John Olejniczak held Framingham State scoreless in the top of the seventh, freshman right fielder Will Helbing walked in a run, and Power scored on a wild pitch to bring UW-Whitewater within one run.
Nompleggi picked off a runner at first and overcame a one-out walk in the top of the ninth to set up the Warhawks' heroics in the bottom half.
UW-Whitewater continues action in the Orlando area tomorrow against William Paterson (N.J.) at 10 a.m. Central Time. The day continues at 2 p.m. Central with a contest against Rowan (N.J.).