The University of Wisconsin Superior ended its winless skid as the Yellowjackets swept their Upper Midwest Athletic Conference-opening doubleheader against Martin Luther College on Saturday afternoon by scores of 10-5 and 7-2 in New Ulm, Minnesota.

Rookie outfielder Brandon Rolf (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater H.S.) had a coming out party in the batter's box, batting 4-for-8 with five RBIs, a double, and his first collegiate home run as UW-Superior (4-14, 2-0 UMAC) took the series from Martin Luther (4-10, 0-2 UMAC). The Yellowjackets scored the first six runs of the day, but in the final innings of game one, the Knights trimmed the lead down to 6-5 before UWS plated four more runs in the ninth to put the game on ice.

Senior right-hander Richard Vanden Branden (Neenah, Wis./St. Mary Central H.S.) picked up the first victory of his season, surrendering five runs, just one earned, on six hits while striking out three in 7.1 innings. Junior lefty Brady Stocker (River Falls, Wis./River Falls H.S.) relieved him, striking out four in 1.2 innings of work to earn the save.

Senior infielder Chad Patko (Stone Lake, Wis./Hayward H.S.) drove in two in the ninth and also contributed a triple on the day. Rookie designated hitter Cory Albertson (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater H.S.) also added a home run, going 4-for-7 on the day in both ends of the doubleheader. Jon Kock worked 8.2 innings for Martin Luther, surrendering eight earned on 15 hits while striking out nine on the day.

UW-Superior 7, Martin Luther 2
Patko led the Yellowjackets with a 3-for-5 game two, driving in four on a pair of home runs while crossing the plate three times. Sophomore Stephen Albertson (Stillwater, Minn/Stillwater H.S.) got the scoring started with a sacrifice fly in the second. Patko followed that up with the first of his two big flies in the top of the third, adding another in the fifth. Rolf doubled home a run in the fourth. Kock followed up his impressive pitching performance with a two-run single in the bottom of the fifth, but Martin Luther would get no closer on the day. Sophomore Matthew Boyde (Chanhassen, Minn./Minnetonka H.S.) brought Patko home for the third time in game two with another sacrifice fly.

Senior Trevor Stone (Minneapolis, Minn./Washburn H.S.) was the beneficiary of the offense in game two, moving to 2-1 on the year allowing two unearned runs on seven hits. He stuck out two in a complete-game effort. Noah Panzer took the defeat, allowing five earned on 11 hits in seven innings.

UP NEXT
UW-Superior will finally open its home season Tuesday as the Yellowjackets welcome Northland College to Whereatt Field. First pitch is set for 1:30 p.m.