The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater baseball (15-0) extended its perfect start to the season with a doubleheader sweep over the University of Wisconsin-River Falls (8-7). Both games were decided by run-rule, as the Warhawks took game one in 7 innings, 11-0, and 18-5 in the 8-inning second game. 

The Warhawks met at a familiar face in River Falls, taking on Steve Bartlein's squad. Bartlein, a UWW baseball alum (2012-13) and former assistant coach, is at the helm of the UWRF baseball program, playing its first season since 2002. The Warhawks were 11-3 against the Falcons from 1996-2002.

In Game 1, UWW took an early lead in the third inning when Eli Frank (Bayport, Wis./Bay Port) homered to center field, putting them ahead 1-0. The Warhawks added to their lead in the fifth inning as Any Thies batted in Aaron Holland (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton North) and Matt Scolan (Downers Grove, Ill./South) to extend their advantage to 3-0. 

In the sixth inning, Scolan hit a two-run homer, followed by Adam Cootway (DePere, Wis./Fox Valley Lutheran) scoring on an error, increasing the Warhawks' lead to 6-0. 

They continued their offensive surge in the seventh inning, scoring five runs. Alex Najera (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles North) and Scolan each drove in runs with singles, while additional runs scored on a series of hits and errors, bringing the score to 11-0. The Falcons were unable to score in the bottom of the frame, resulting in a final score of 11-0 in favor of UWW.

Cade Hansen (New Braunfels, Texas/Smithson Valley) earned the win, pitching 6.0 innings, allowing only 2 hits and no earned runs while striking out 5 batters and not issuing any walks. 

In Game 2, UWW opened up with a 4-0 lead with the help of the long ball game.

Aaron Holland (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton North) and Matt Scolan (Downers Grove, Ill./South) both hit solo homers in the third inning. Sam Paden (Libertyville, Ill./Libertyville) and Dominick McVay hit another two solo bombs the next inning to give the Warhawks a 4-0 lead after four consecutive solo homers.

The Falcons answered back with a three-run homer by Klein for their first runs of the game & to close the UWW lead to just one run.

The Warhawks broke open the game with five runs in the sixth inning, highlighted by Eli Frank's (Bayport, Wis./Bay Port) three-run homer and a two-RBI single by Holland, increasing their lead to 9-3. 

They continued their offensive surge in the eighth inning, scoring nine runs. McVay hit a three-run homer (his second of the game), and Jackson Koenig (Blaine, Minn./Blaine) added a two-RBI double, putting UWW ahead 18-3. 

UWRF managed to score two runs in the bottom of the eighth but were unable to catch up to the dominant Warhawks in the 18-5 final after eight.

Jack Hagen (San Clemente, Cal./San Clemente) was credited the win for UWW, pitching 6 innings and allowing 3 earned runs on 4 hits, while striking out 5 and walking just one. 

Scolan and Frank each had two home runs between the two games, with McVay hitting his two in the second game. Holland and Paden both went yard as well, bringing the Warhawk total to eight between the two games.

The Warhawks are back out tomorrow at First National Bank of River Falls Field to take on the Falcons in the second half of the conference series. First pitch is scheduled for 12 PM.