Comer, Van Ess Mash Seven Combined Home Runs as Pointers Finish Sweep of UWP - University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Athletics (2024)

STEVENS POINT, Wis. – Bradley Comer (Rhinelander, Wis./Rhinelander) and Trent Van Ess (Two Rivers, Wis./Two Rivers) combined to hit seven home runs on Sunday as the UW-Stevens Point baseball team (19-9, 11-5) completed the series sweep of UW-Platteville (8-17, 4-10). Van Ess belted a grand slam to aid UWSP to a 13-3 run-rule win in the opener. Comer and Van Ess went deep twice each in a 15-8 game two win.

Comer launched four home runs on the day, two in each game. He had eight RBI on the day and scored five runs. Van Ess hit three home runs with seven RBI and four runs scored.

Jakob Boos (Littleton, Colo./Heritage) and Connor Olson (Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead) had two hits each in both games. Olson had three RBI and two runs scored. Boos scored three times and drove in two. Anthony Tomczak (Muskego, Wis./Muskego) added three hits, three RBI and a pair of runs scored on the day.

Game 1 – UWSP 13, UWP 3 (7)
The Pioneers scored a run in the top of the first on one hit and a pair of UWSP miscues.

Jackson Adams (Janesville, Wis./Janesville Craig) singled and moved to second on a wild pitch to begin the UWSP first. Tomczak doubled to drive him home for a 1-1 tie. Boos reached on a bunt single to put runners on the corners. Comer followed with a line-drive sac fly for a 2-1 advantage.

UWP pulled even with a run in the second on a pair of hits.

Comer sent the first pitch in the bottom of the third over the left-field fence, his first home run of the day. Two batters later, Van Ess reached on a throwing error. Logan hom*olka (Marshfield, Wis./Marshfield) doubled to put two in scoring position. Mason Fink (Verona, Wis./Verona) hit a three-run home run to push UWSP's lead to 6-2.

With one away in the fourth, Comer blasted another solo home run to left, his second of the game. Matt Baumann (New Berlin, Wis./Eisenhower) singled as did Van Ess to put two aboard. hom*olka hit in a fielder's choice and a throwing error gave the Pointers a run for an 8-2 lead.

Adams was hit by a pitch with one out in the fifth. He stole second with two outs and scored on a double by Boos. Comer was intentionally walked and Baumann drew a free pass to load the bases. Van Ess cleared them with a grand slam and a 13-2 lead.

The Pioneers got one run in the sixth on three singles to complete the scoring.

Jacob Meinholz (Middleton, Wis./Middleton) improved to 3-0 with 6.0 strong innings in relief. He struck out six. Jeremiah Jahnke (Winneconne, Wis./Winneconne) tossed the opening inning with one strikeout.

Game 2 – UWSP 15, UWP 8
The Pioneers scored six runs in the top of the first on seven hits, two of which were home runs, while sending 10 batters to the plate.

Tomczak drew a one-out walk in the bottom of the first. Boos hit into a fielder's choice, but was awarded second on a throwing error. Comer followed with an RBI single to get UWSP on the board.

hom*olka hit a double to start the second. Two batters later, Olson doubled to push home a run. Adams, Tomczak and Boos hit consecutive singles to plate two runs. Comer launched a three run home run, his third of the day, to give UWSP a 7-6 edge. Baumann drew a walk and Van Ess followed with a two-run home run for a 9-6 lead.

The Pointers tacked on a run in the third without a hit. Adams drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on a passed ball. Tomczak hit a deep fly ball to push Adams to third. Comer was hit by a pitch to put runners on the corners. A double steal saw Adams cross the plate for the 10th run of the game.

Van Ess drew a base on balls to begin the fourth. Kamden Oliver (Viroqua, Wis./Viroqua) was hit by a pitch. Olson hit a two-run double. Two batters later, Tomczak hit a double to give UWSP a 13-6 lead.

After the Pioneers got a run in the seventh inning on two hits, Comer blasted hit fourth home run of the day to get the run back in the bottom of the frame. Van Ess hit a solo shot in the eighth, his third of the day.

Steven Wintheiser (Muskego, Wis./Muskego) earned his first career win with 6.0 innings pitched in relief. He struck out four. Kale Weisenberger (Stratford, Wis./Stratford) and Riley O'Connell (West Bend, Wis./West) had two strikeouts each in an inning of work apiece.

The Pointers remain at home to face Lawrence in a single non-conference game on Tuesday (April 23) at 3:00 p.m.