The Milwaukee Panthers erupted early, plating nine runs in the opening innings to seize control of their NCAA Baseball Tournament regional matchup against the UCF Knights.
The onslaught was built on a blend of power and patience, with five extra‑base hits and five walks in the first three frames. Leadoff man Grant Ross reached base in each of his five plate appearances, while Dylan O'Connell doubled in his first two at‑bats and drove in four runs. Charlie Marion added two singles and two walks, scoring twice, and Andrew Williamson launched a fourth‑inning homer to extend the lead.
UCF’s pitching faltered under the pressure, forcing the Knights to burn through five relievers. Evan Jones managed a brief 4⅓‑inning outing that limited the damage, but the bullpen was stretched thin as the Panthers kept the pressure on.
A costly injury for the umpire
The game also featured a dramatic moment when home‑plate umpire Blake Felix was struck in the face mask by a foul tip and did not return, adding a somber note to an otherwise high‑octane contest.
With the victory, Milwaukee (27‑31) positions itself as a potential dark horse, one of just ten regional No. 4 seeds in history to advance to the supers. UCF (32‑22) now faces an elimination game against top‑seeded Auburn at 3 p.m. Sunday, a team that rebounded from its own 17‑13 slugfest earlier in the day.
If the Knights hope to stay alive, they must win twice, first against Auburn and then, if necessary, a rematch against Milwaukee later that evening.