AUBURNDALE, Fla. — The UW-River Falls baseball team erased a five-run deficit with a late offensive surge, scoring six runs over the final three innings to defeat Salem State University 7-6 on Monday morning.
Trailing 6-1 after six innings, the Falcons began chipping away in the seventh. Ryan Eckerle and Tanner Hraby opened the frame with singles before Daniel Kibler delivered a two-run single up the middle to bring UWRF within 6-3.
The Falcons continued the comeback in the eighth. John Santelman drew a walk and Eckerle followed with another free pass before Hraby was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Max Krebs forced in a run after being hit by a pitch, and Andrew Athmann followed with an RBI single down the left-field line to trim the deficit to 6–5.
River Falls completed the rally in the ninth. Santelman walked and stole second before Patrick Lundgren worked a walk to put two aboard. After both runners moved into scoring position on a wild pitch, Krebs delivered the decisive blow with a two-out single through the middle, scoring Santelman and Eddie Peine to give the Falcons a 7-6 lead.
Brett Sullivan made the advantage stand in the bottom half, striking out two as part of a scoreless ninth to secure the victory. Sullivan earned the win with three shutout innings of relief, allowing three hits while striking out four.
Offensively, the Falcons finished with 12 hits. Athmann led the way with three hits and an RBI, while Krebs went 2-for-5 with three RBIs including the go-ahead hit. Eckerle added two hits and scored twice, and Santelman reached base three times, scoring twice and driving in a run.
Jackson Conway started on the mound, working 4.1 innings and allowing three runs (two earned). Parker Nedland covered the middle innings before Sullivan closed the game.
The Falcons, now 3-0 overall, play Macalester College tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. (ET) in Winter Haven, Fla.
