Hawks roll to doubleheader sweep of Ripon College in UWW's home opener

The UW-Whitewater baseball team treated Warhawk fans to a “hit parade” in its sweep of a twin bill over Ripon College on Thursday on Prucha Field at James B. Miller Stadium in Whitewater.

Whitewater combined a season high 25 hits with five Ripon errors in a 19-4 win in game one. The Hawks kept the “hitting shoes” on in game two by banging out another 16 hits while cruising to a 14-6 victory.

Andrew Eichstaedt led the Hawk hit parade in game-one, going 4 for 6. Rob Coe, Jeff Donovan, Danny Putnam and Sam Keller each collected three hits for the Warhawks. Freshman centerfielder, Dylan Friend, ripped his first career home run in the 3rd inning. with his first home run of the season.

(In a scene that was extremely familiar Thursday afternoon for the UWW offense. A runner (Dan Putnam) is in scoring position with a batter (Jeff Donovan) poised to drive another run in as the Hawks sweep a doubleheader from Ripon - Tom "Voice" Pattison photo)

Whitewater pitching limited Ripon to three hits in the opener. 2010 WIAC Pitcher of the Year, Riley Tincher, raised his record to 2-1 giving up four hits and two earned runs in 5 innings, The senior lefthader struck of three and walked three. Justin Lambert, Tom Kerndt, and Eric Schmitz covered the final four innings, allowed just one hit and did not walk a batter

Much like game-one, Whitewater jumped in front early and never looked back in game-two. The Hawks scored three in the 1st, two in the 2nd, another three in the 3rd and another two runs in the 4th inning for a 10-0 lead.

Meanwhile, UWW game-two starter Jeff Donovan was cruising on the mound setting the Red Hawks down in order in each of the first four innings. Nine of the twelve Ripon batters grounded out.

Donovan’s bid for a no-hitter and shutout ended with one out in the fifth inning by giving up back to back hits eventually allowing the Red Hawks to plate its first run of the game.

Donovan improved to 3-0 with his five innings of work. The Warhawk bullpen was solid again in game-two by receiving scoreless innings in relief from Colin Grove and Matthew Roberts . In a surprise, Warhawk catcher Rob Coe pitched a scoreless 9th inning in his collegiate debut on the mound.

Offensively, Matt Beyer collected four hits in five at bats. Putnam was 3 for 4, and Coe and Donovan equaled their first game with three hits apiece.

Putnam has hit safely in all nine games for UW-W this season

UW-Whitewater, now 7 & 2 on the season, will open Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play at home this weekend, hosting UW-Superior Saturday and Sunday. The doubleheaders both days will begin at 12-Noon on Prucha Field at Jim Miller Stadium.