MADISON, WISC. - The North Central Community College Conference season began with a pair of come-from-behind wins Saturday for Madison College baseball over in-state rival Milwaukee Area Technical College at Robin Roberts Field. Two runs in the sixth turned a one-run deficit into a 4-3 WolfPack win in the opener, while an early 6-0 differential was overcome in a big way during a 16-6 run-rule victory. The 'Pack extended their advantage to 95-15 in the all-time series, which has reached 110 games played.

Game #1: Madison College 4, Milwaukee Area Technical College 3 (7 innings)

The visiting Stormers grabbed early leads in both games of the day, starting with a single run in the top of the first thanks to a triple and a single to begin the game. Madison College pulled even in the third when Zach Storbakken went all the way around the bases with a walk, a stolen base, an error, and a wild pitch. An inning later, the 'Pack took a 2-1 advantage on yet another wild pitch to play Gabe O'Brien.

Still a one-run game into the sixth, MATC-Milwaukee jumped back on top against WolfPack pitchers Patrick Foldy and Jett Thielke. After Foldy walked back-to-back batters, Thielke entered and allowed a run-scoring single to tie the game. An error on the next ball in play allowed the go-ahead run to score.

In need of a rally, the home half of the inning saw O'Brien and Spencer Bartel reach with line drive singles, and then both raced home when freshman Ryan Hubley hit a hard grounder through the right side.



O'Brien, an Eau Claire, Wisconsin, native, paced the offensive attack with a 2 for 3 effort that yielded two runs scored. Hubley, a former Marquette University HS athlete, produced a team-best two RBI on his lone hit. 

Starting pitcher Luke Hansel tossed the first four innings and held the Stormers to one run on three hits and struck out three. Sophomore Patrick Foldy came in from the bullpen for the next 1 1/3 innings in which he didn't allow a hit, but saw two runs score on two walks. Thielke (1-0), a native of Green Bay, Wisconsin, earned his first career win in limiting the opposition to one hit and a walk, while striking out three to close out the game's final 1 2/3 innings.

Game #2: Madison College 16, Milwaukee Area Technical College 6 (6 innings)

Game two did not look promising early with Milwaukee Area Technical College (8-7) putting up six runs in the first half inning against Madison College starter Carson Fluno. The Stormers used three hits, four walks, and an error to put together the big frame.

The Madison College rally began in the second with two runs. Gunnar Doyle and Taiten Manriquez each drove in one run. The game completely changed in the third as the 'Pack tallied eight runs on three hits, five free passes to first, and two errors. Trailing 6-4 with two runners on and no outs, first year infielder Jake Nelson drove the first pitch he saw over the left field fence to put the WolfPack ahead 7-6, and they would never look back. Owning a 10-6 edge after the big inning, the home team used a two-run O'Brien single to start a five-run fifth inning. The game ended in the sixth when Nelson singled on a fly ball to right and O'Brien touched home plate.



Nelson, a second baseman from Altoona, Wisconsin, and Doyle, a first baseman from Oak Creek, Wisconsin, each went 3 for 4 as they hit in the eight and nine spots in the lineup. Nelson produced a career-high five runs batted in and one run scored, while Doyle finished with two runs batted in and another scored. O'Brien has the only other multi-hit game and generated a career-best four runs scored and three driven in. Freshman Brady Jurgella drew four walks in the game, and took advantage to cross home three times.

On the hill, Fluno struggled to allow six earned runs on two hits and four walks as he was unable to get out of the first inning. Alex Redman (2-0), a lefthander from New Berlin, Wisconsin, was the winning pitcher after going 4 1/3 innings with four scattered hits, three walks, and two K's. Justin Grosse and Reagan Klawitter combined to pitch the final frame.

Up Next:

Madison College (9-6) continues a brief homestand with two more games at Robin Roberts Field against another in-state rival, Bryant & Stratton College (11-15), on Tuesday, April 6. The brief history between the two programs has Madison College owning a 3-1 advantage. The twin bill, slated to begin with first pitches at 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., will be followed by a doubleheader between the WolfPack and Bobcats on Wednesday, April 7 as part of a unique home-and-home.

Fan attendance will be limited to members of immediate family for Madison College players and coaches, and two immediate family members for opposing players and coaches. The games can also be seen at MadisonCollege.tv.

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