The No. 16 ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater baseball team collected 21 hits Friday on its way to a 19-2 victory in seven innings at UW-La Crosse in the nightcap of a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader in La Crosse, Wis.
The Warhawks (9-2 overall, 3-1 WIAC) were defeated 5-2 in the first game of the day.
UW-Whitewater erupted early in Game 2 with nine runs in the top of the first inning and added one more in the second, five in the fourth, two in the fifth and two in the sixth for a run-rule shortened win.
Pitcher Connor Spear picked up his first win of the year, allowing no hits and two walks while striking out seven over five innings of work. Ben Muscatello struck out the side in the sixth, and Jim Jarecki pitched the seventh.
Second baseman Bryan Sturdevant and left fielder Jacob DeMeyer paced the offense with four hits apiece. Sturdevant scored three runs and batted in two, while DeMeyer posted one double, one home run, one stolen base, two runs scored and four runs batted in.
Designated hitter Matt Korman also plated four runs and added two hits, including one double, and two runs scored, and centerfielder Zach Campbell registered three hits, including two doubles, to go along with three runs scored, one stolen base and three RBIs.
Shortstop Nick Santoro recorded three hits, including one double, to go with one walk and three runs scored. First baseman Donovan Brandl finished 2-for-3 with one double, two walks, three runs scored and one RBI, and third baseman David Rubin smashed a solo home run in his lone at-bat.
In the opener, the Warhawks out-hit the Eagles 10-9, but left 10 runners on base and committed three errors in the field.
UW-La Crosse (6-4, 1-3) took the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth and added insurance runs in the sixth and eighth innings.
UW-Whitewater's last good chance to tie the game or take the lead came in the top of the seventh. After loading the bases with nobody out, the Warhawks were retired in order.
Third baseman Ben Wilkins reached base twice, including on a two-run single in the top of the fourth that gave UW-W a 2-1 lead.
Brandl totaled three hits, and second baseman Sam Vomhof recorded two.
Brandl dropped to 1-1 on the season with the loss, surrendering four runs (two earned) over 5 2/3 innings while striking out five. Kade Lancour tossed the final 2 1/3 frames, allowing one run.
The Warhawks resume action Tuesday with a conference doubleheader at UW-Oshkosh. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.