Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Ohio St
Baseball Team Eliminated From Big Ten Tournament
5/19/2000 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 19, 2000
EVANSTON, ILL. - A pitcher's dual between Northwestern's Gabe Ribas and Ohio State's E. J. Laratta was won by the Buckeyes, 4-2, Thursday night. The loss eliminated the Wildcats from the Big Ten Tournament and put their record at 30-27.
With Ribas and Laratta working quickly, the teams played the nine-inning game in 1:37, smattering the record for quickest game in the Big Ten Tournament by 12 minutes. The game moved rapidly despite the fact that the teams combined for 19 hits.
OSU took the lead in the third when Trent McIlvain singled to lead off the inning and scored three batters later on a single by Mike Check.
Northwestern got the run right back in the top of the fourth. J.P. Williamson and Bob Dainton led off with singles, and Williamson scored when Joe Hietpas hit into a double play. But Ohio State regained the lead with a Jason Turner homer in the bottom of the fourth and a sacrifice fly by Check in the fifth. The lead opened to 4-1 in the seventh when McIlvain scored on a single by Jason Driscoll.
Northwestern got one run back in the eighth. With two outs, Eric Roeder clouted a double to center and scored on a single by Jeremy Kurella. However, the rally, was thwarted when Kurella -- who did set a school record with 41 stolen bases this year -- was caught stealing.
Ribas went the distance, allowing 10 Ohio State hits while striking out five. Laratta scattered nine hits on the hill for the Buckeyes. The duo combined for just one walk.
