Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Pacific
Tigers Outlast Wildcats in 15-11 Marathon
2/12/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 12, 2004
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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Northwestern began its 2004 baseball campaign in sunny Scottsdale, Ariz., with a hard-fought 15-11 loss to the University of Pacific. Walks and timely Tiger hitting proved to be the difference in a game that lasted 3 hours 46 minutes.
NU jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning when sophomore Dan Brauer hit a 0-2 triple to deep centerfield. Brauer came around to score on Dan Pohlman's groundout to the shortstop.
The lead didn't last long, as Wildcat starter Dan Konecny ran into trouble in the bottom half of the second inning. He allowed four runs on two hits, he walked two batters and had one hit batsman in the inning. The big blow came with one out and the bases loaded, as Octavio Amezquita hit a double to deep left field. Following a pop out to first base, Evan Bishop hit a sharp single to center scoring the final two runs.
NU started to inch their way back in the top of the fifth, scoring two runs on two hits and two wild pitches. Sophomore Anthony Wycklendt led off with a double to left-centerfield and advanced to third on a Matt Brimmer groundout. Wycklendt crossed the plate when Caleb Fields grounded out to first base, giving Fields his first collegiate RBI. Senior Josh Lieberman then hit a two-out single up the middle and stole second two pitches later. Lieberman advanced to third on a wild pitch and after a Mark Ori walk, scored on the second wild pitch of the inning.
Just like they had done in the second inning, Pacific struck right back in the bottom half of the inning. Konecny struck out the first two batters of the fifth, followed quickly by consecutive walks. A single to left allowed the first run to cross, but an errant throw from the outfield gave the second runner time to score, making the score 6-3 Pacific after five complete innings.
The Wildcats didn't stay down long, coming up with a single run in the sixth as Brauer proved to be the catalyst again. With one out and no one on base, Brauer walked for the second consecutive at-bat. Wycklendt then singled to right-centerfield, moving Brauer to third. Three pitches later, Brauer scored on a passed ball.
Down 6-4 in the top of the eighth inning, NU scratched and clawed two more runs to tie the score at 6-6. Keeping in rhythm, Brauer reached base with a one-out walk. Following a Pacific pitching change, Pohlman singled to center, advancing Brauer to third. Like he'd done all game, Wycklendt tattooed a Tiger offering into deep right-centerfield for his first triple of the game, tying the game 6-6. Wycklendt went 4-for-5 with four RBI and two runs scored.
Evan Blesoff and Chris Hayes kept the Tiger offense in check, pitching a combined two and one-third innings, of no-run and no-hit baseball.
Sophomore Mark Ori-who started the game in left field-came in to pitch the eighth inning. Ori didn't have the same luck as Blesoff and Hayes. The right-hander lasted just one-third of an inning, giving up seven runs (six earned) on two hits and three walks. He also hit one batter with a pitch. Freshman Ryan Myers came on in relief of Ori, throwing two-thirds of an inning.
In all, NU gave up nine runs (eight earned) in the bottom of the eighth inning, giving Pacific a 15-6 lead after eight complete innings.
NU would not go away however. The 'Cats last gasp came up four runs short as NU left the bases loaded when the game ended. In that inning, Lieberman and Ori walked, followed by a Jon Mikrut fielder's choice, forcing Ori at second. With runners on first-and-third and one out, Jason Krynski slapped a double down the right-field line and Brauer hit an infield RBI single to the shortstop. Following a pair of walks, Wycklendt hammered a bases-loaded triple to the right-centerfield gap, scoring three runs. It was Wycklendt's second triple and Northwestern's third triple of the game.
NU is next in action when they take on Washington State tomorrow at 10 a.m. (MST) at Papago Park.
GAME NOTES
* Starting right fielder Antonio Mule sustained a leg injury diving for a foul ball just four outs into the game. Mule is a freshman and was making his collegiate debut.
* NU hit five extra base hits in the game.
