Broncos rally from five-run deficit falls short in 6-5 loss to Marquette University
Union Grove’s comeback from an early five-run hole came up just short Tuesday night, as the Broncos tied the game in the sixth inning before Marquette University answered for a 6-5 win at Milwaukee Area Technical College.
The decisive moment came after Union Grove erased a 5-0 deficit. Luke Drummond doubled down the right-field line in the top of the sixth to pull the Broncos even at 5-all, capping a rally that included scoring on a double, an error, a single and another double. Marquette University quickly regained the lead in the bottom of the sixth when the Hilltoppers pushed across the winning run on a walk.
Marquette built its cushion early. In the bottom of the first, Boden McGourthy doubled to right field and Leo Sanders added a sacrifice fly, with each play bringing home a run. The Hilltoppers added three more in the second inning after Lucas Perez stole home, Union Grove committed an error and Gavin Coury singled to center field, giving Marquette a 5-0 advantage.
Union Grove settled in after that stretch and chipped away. The Broncos stayed in the game behind steady relief work from Evan Northup, who covered four innings and allowed three hits and one unearned run while striking out five and walking three. Union Grove also turned a double play, helping keep the margin within reach long enough for the offense to mount its late push.
Cooper Dye Katterhagen supplied key production in the middle of the order, driving in two runs while going 1-for-2 from the cleanup spot. Drew Dinauer, Tucker Katterhagen, Drummond, Cooper Dye and Quinton Schmitz each collected a hit for the Broncos. Jude Rogowski took the loss after allowing five runs, three earned, over two innings. Marquette starter Damian Kosempa worked three hitless innings with four strikeouts, Harrison Schwabe earned the win in relief, and Charlie McElherne picked up the save for the Hilltoppers. McGourthy and Coury each drove in one run for Marquette, while Silas Kwaterski led the Hilltoppers with two hits in three at-bats.
Despite the loss, the Broncos showed resilience by wiping out the early deficit and carrying the game into the late innings. Union Grove returns home Wednesday, May 27, 2026, for a 4:30 p.m. CDT game against Wisconsin Lutheran at Union Grove High School.
