The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater baseball team survived a late comeback against Carroll University to extend their win streak to five during the Blue Wahoos Challenge. The Warhawks' powerful hitting helped buoy their lead, taking down the Pioneers 9-7.

UW-Whitewater quickly put a run on the board in the bottom of the first. Nelson Phillips IV (Elm Grove, Wis./Brookfield East) led off the game with a single, coming around to score from Leyten Bowers (Mineral Point, Wis./Mineral Point) RBI single. 

Sam Steuber (Muskego, Wis./Muskego) retired the side in order in the first two innings, helping the Warhawks jump out to an early lead. Steuber notched three strikeouts in the first two frames against the Pioneers.

Jackson Koenig (Blaine, Minn./Blaine) opened the second inning with a solo shot over the right fielder's head to put the Warhawks up 2-0. Dominik McVay (Mineral Point, Wis./Mineral Point) followed up the home run with a triple of his own. McVay came to score off a fielder's choice hit by Phillips IV. 

Carroll was able to get some movement on the bases after hitting four singles in the top of the third. The Warhawks were able to limit the damage to just two runs, catching runners trying to advance extra bases for two of the three outs. 

The Warhawks were able to regain the multi-run lead in the bottom of the third, with Evan Olson (Kimberly, Wis./Kimberly) drawing a lead-off walk. McVay's second RBI of the day gave the Warhawks a 4-2 lead after three innings of play.

Both pitchers took control of the game, with only one hit between the two teams over the next 2.5 innings. The Carroll pitcher surpassed 100-pitches during the fifth, bringing in the first bullpen arm of the game. Hudson Turner (Baraboo, Wis./Baraboo) drew a walk, which was followed by the Warhawks' second triple of the game. This time Jackson Spring (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles North) was the one going the 270 feet and scoring Turner. 

Andy Thies (Tallahassee, Fla./Lawton Chiles) added another run with a sacrifice fly to bring in Spring. The Warhawks added one more on a double steal play. Nelson Phillips IV (Elm Grove, Wis./Brookfield East) was able to touch home before Carroll recorded the third out of the inning.

Sam Steuber (Muskego, Wis./Muskego) finished one more inning of work, finishing his day after 7.0 innings pitched. Steuber fanned eight batters, only allowing two runs.

In the bottom of the 7th, Jackson Koenig (Blaine, Minn./Blaine) went yard again, this time scoring two to put the Warhawks up 9-2.

With just six outs left to work with, Carroll grabbed some momentum, closing the Warhawk lead to just two runs. The Pioneers scored 5 runs, on one hit & three Warhawk errors. 

Gradin Taschner (Neenah, Wis./Neenah) came in on the mound for the final out of the 8th inning, getting the swinging strike-out to keep the Warhawks' up by two.

Evan Olson (Kimberly, Wis./Kimberly) made it on base in the 9th after getting hit by a pitch, reaching all the way to third after an overthrow on his steal attempt. The Warhawks left him stranded, though, not able to gain any more insurance runs.

Taschner was able to secure the save, sending two batters down swinging in the final inning. The Warhawks held on for the 9-7 win. 

Carroll outhit UWW 9-8, but the Warhawks had the higher slugging, with the two triples & two homers. Carroll only had one extra-base hit on the day. 

The Warhawks are back out tomorrow, Monday, March 16th, against Edgewood College. First pitch is scheduled for 10 AM at the Blue Wahoos Stadium.