May 23, 2008
Box Score
Niles, Ohio- Brett Schaefer's dramatic game-tying two-run homer with two outs in the seventh set the stage for Steve McGuiggan's go-ahead two-run sacrifice fly in the eighth as the UIC baseball team rallied from five runs down to defeat Milwaukee, 7-5, in the semifinals of the 2008 Horizon League Baseball Championship presented by U.S. Army.
The Flames (33-19) advance to the championship round of the tournament to face the winner of Saturday morning's elimination game between the Panthers (23-35) and Valparaiso. Either Milwaukee or Valpo will meet UIC at Eastwood Field at 2 p.m. Central, with the Flames needing just one win to clinch their second consecutive league tournament title and fourth in the last six years.
Milwaukee seemed to have everything clicking offensively early on, scoring at least one run in four straight frames, while UIC was plagued by three inning-ending double plays and four errors that led to three unearned runs for the Panthers.
But as was the case when the Flames erased a three-run deficit against Valparaiso the previous night, UIC clawed its way back into the contest.
Schaefer (3-for-4, three RBI) led off the sixth with the first of his two home runs on the night, launching an opposite-field shot off of starter Cuyler Franzke. Kevin Coddington followed by taking a walk, and two batters later Brandon Harwell (3-for-4) pulled a ball down the right field line for a double that allowed Coddington to score all the way from first base.
The first two UIC hitters of the seventh reached base safely, and they both advanced into scoring position on Ty Rubio's sacrifice bunt. Jake Carr lofted a sac fly to left field that scored Jason Ganek, and Schaefer followed by sending Milwaukee closer Adam Ferrell's 1-2 offering over the wall in left for a two-run shot that evened the game.
The bases were loaded with one out in the eighth for McGuiggan, who sent a deep fly ball to center that a hustling Doug Dekoning caught on a spectacular play. It allowed Rafael Garcia to easily score the go-ahead run from third on the sacrifice, but Andy Leonard tagged up at second and sprinted the whole way home to beat the play at the plate and complete an unusual two-run flyout.
Starter Derrick Miramontes allowed just two earned runs in seven innings of work in a no-decision, and closer Adam Worthington came on in the eighth to toss two scoreless innings for the win.
Friday's victory extended UIC's winning streak, which began against Milwaukee on May 9, to a season-high nine games.
The Flames forced the Panthers to strand 14 runners on base.
UIC has now won five straight Horizon League Championship game dating back to last season.
