FORT MYERS, FLA. – The University of Wisconsin Stout Blue Devils Men's Baseball team got their 2023 campaign off to the start they wanted, defeating the Saint Elizabeth Eagles, 12-7.
The Blue Devils fell behind early, surrendering a run in the bottom of the first inning. The Blue Devils would get on the board for the first time in the season, in the bottom of the third inning, on a Riley Boushack single, scoring Nolan Harke.
The Eagles would counter with four runs on two more Blue Devil errors to take a 5-1 lead heading into the fifth inning. The Blue Devils were patient at the plate in the fifth, earning four walks, which lead to six runs. A Justin Sedin double would clear the bases, scoring three runs to give the Blue Devils a 6-5 lead. Jack Schirpke would fly out deep to right field, scoring Sedin to extend the lead to 7-5.
The Eagles cut the lead to 7-6 in the bottom of the sixth inning. In the next half inning, Sedin would collect his second double of the game, scoring TJ Carlson. Jacoby Endreas followed up the double with a hard hit single scoring Boushack to extend the lead to 9-6.
The Blue Devils would surrender another run before Connor Hemme would shut the door with four strikeouts to end the game. The Blue Devils added 3 more runs in the top of the ninth inning to finish with a 12-7 victory.
Drew Buss earned the win, tossing five innings of three run baseball, allowing seven hits, striking out nine. Luke Costley and Cody Urban pitched two and two-thirds innings in relief, each striking out two.
The Blue Devils are back in action tomorrow at the 33rd Gene Cusic Classic with a double header against Western Connecticut State. First pitch is at 11 a.m. CT.
