By Jim Dixon
D3sports.com

EASTLAKE, Ohio - Like every game this week at the Division III World Series, UW-Whitewater scored first and kept the foot on the gas for a 18-3 win to open the D3 Championship Series at Classic Auto Group Park in Eastlake, Ohio.

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"We are never hoping for a close game," said UW-Whitewater head coach John Voldenlich. "The fans want a close game but I would never complain about this outcome. I was happy they took care of business today."

UW-Whitewater's 18 runs are the most in the history of the best-of-three Division III Championship Series, which started in 2015.

"First time we have been on the losing end," said Messiah head coach Phill Shallenberger. "They did not miss any mistakes. They are a really good hitting team."

The game was played without the scheduled day off between bracket play and D3CS because of projected weather issues on Thursday.

Ben Lee was all fired up early in the game and Messiah was only able to put together six hits and two runs off of him in seven innings. Photo by Ryan Coleman, d3photography.com | More photos from this game

It was not the offense that was on show in the top of the first, as UW-Whitewater flashed the leather to keep the game scoreless. Right fielder Sam Paden went a long way to track a fly ball into right-center to turn what looked like a sure extra-base hit into an out.

"Everyone makes a difference with with their glove," said Paden. "I stay in the background and when I have an opportunity, I like to capitalize."

"It sets the tone for the whole game," added Eli Frank.

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Like it has done in every game this series, UW-Whitewater (48-6) scored the first run. Andy Thies opened the inning with a hit to right and was followed by a Frank single to left. Danny Hopper drove the ball to the wall in left center but the ball was relayed in quickly, holding runners on first and second as Thies came around to score. Paden's safety to left was also corralled quickly keeping the runners from advancing home. This worked for Messiah as the Falcons were able to retire the next three batters without any further damage.

"(Being) ahead is good," said Vodenlich. "More runs than them is better. Our recipe is not a surprise. We need good pitching so our bats can work."

The Warhawks scored the next run of the game as well. Unlike the second inning, they cashed in all the runners for a four run inning. Hopper singled up the middle with one out and moved to third on Paden's drive to center. Darryl Jackson send a ground ball that rolled up on the third baseman, allowing Hopper to score and Jacks to reach on the error. Dominik McVay cleared the bases with a home run to left center.

"It's like the first time a kid hits the pinata and all the candy falls out," said Vodenlich on the mood of the dugout when McVay hit his home run. "It is an exciting moment. Our guys sense it and build upon it."

Messiah (39-15) earned a run in the top of the fifth inning. Luke Ott beat out a bunt when the Warhawk pitcher was slow in getting the ball to the first baseman. Nick Moyer's ball through the left side put runners on first and second. David Martinez's sacrifice bunt attempt did not work as the lead runner was nipped by inches. Originally safe, was called out when the play was reviewed. This saved a run as the next Messiah batter, Dustin Isanogle, singled and Moyer scored.

Messiah had been keeping the hottest batter in the series under control, but Adam Cootway blasted out of his two at-bat slump with a solo home run to left to open the Warhawk fifth. Two batters later, Frank singled up the middle. He scored when Hopper's fly ball was in and out of the left fielder's glove for a two base error.

"My approach is to find a good pitch to hit and drive it," said Cootway. "I feel like I had half the team's strikeouts."

Messiah second run came off the bat of Ott, as he lifted a ball over the right-center field wall to put the deficit at 7-2. But the onslaught continued. 

The Warhawks scored nine runs in the seventh inning, five coming with two outs. The big hit came off the bat of Frank. With the bases loaded, his home run to left scored them all for a 16-2 lead.

"They are an easy team to pitch for," said the Warhawks' starting pitcher Ben Lee. "They get a lot of runs."

UW-Whitewater went on to score two more runs in their final inning to complete their scoring barrage.

In the ninth inning Messiah added a run to complete the scoring.

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Lee earned the win with 7.0 innings. He allowed two runs on six hits and a walk. He struck out three. He was followed by Jack Hagen and Jackson Koenig who pitched an inning each. Daniel Knight took the loss. He gave up seven runs (five earned) on 10 hits and a walk, striking out one. Knight was followed by a parade of four pitchers, none could keep the Warhawks from adding runs.

Frank led all players with four hits with four adding three. Frank and McVay both had four RBI. Jackson and Frank score three times to lead the Warhawks.

For Messiah, Ott was the only player with more than one hit or run scored.

Last year the Warhawks lost the opening game of the D3 Championship Series to Misericordia, then came back to win Game 2 before falling in Game 3.

Game two of the D3 Championship Series will be played at 11 a.m. on Wednesday. If Messiah wins, the winner-take-all game will be played after the conclusion of Game 2.