The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee baseball team defeated Auburn 13-8 on May 29 in the first round of the NCAA baseball tournament, marking its first tournament win since 1999. UWM entered the game as a significant underdog against Auburn, which was seeded No. 4 overall and known for having one of the best pitching staffs in college baseball.
UWM qualified for the tournament after a two-out walk-off home run secured them the Horizon League championship, ending a 16-year absence from NCAA postseason play. The Panthers took an early lead with three-run home runs in both the first and fourth innings, jumping ahead to a 10-0 advantage by the fourth inning. Bradyn Horn hit a three-run homer in the opening frame, followed by another from Charlie Marion in the fourth.
Head coach Shaun Wegner said after the game, “It’s a big one, there’s no doubt about it. We talked after we were able to beat Wright State in the (Horizon League) tournament about how the job’s not finished. A lot of people are going to say we’ve got house money, we’ll play free, we’re not expected to win. Yeah, all those things are true, but what we’re trying to build here is a belief in a system, and these guys have bought into it. It’s the start of something special here in Milwaukee.”
Auburn narrowed UWM’s lead to 12-7 by the seventh inning before pitcher Riley Peterson closed out five innings of relief work following starter Gavin Theis. The victory was UWM’s second ever at an NCAA Tournament; their previous win came against then-No.1 Rice.
The double-elimination format means UWM has not yet advanced beyond this round. Their next game is scheduled for Saturday at 7 p.m., facing either Central Florida or North Carolina State depending on Friday night’s result. If victorious again Saturday night, they will compete Sunday evening for an opportunity to advance past regionals; if they lose Saturday, they could face Auburn again Sunday afternoon.
Additionally, this weekend features former UWM player AJ Blubaugh pitching for Major League Baseball’s Houston Astros against the Milwaukee Brewers; Daulton Varsho remains noted as UWM’s first major league player.
