Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
New Mexico
Fit to be Tied; Wildcats and Lobos Finish 3-3
2/22/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 22, 2004
New Mexico Box Score in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - In a game of missed opportunities, sophomore Dan Brauer tried to complete a feat that hadn't been accomplished since Zach Schara did it in 1999. Pitch a no-hitter. The left-handed Illinois native flirted with greatness, pitching seven and two-third innings of no-hit baseball, before being relieved with the score 3-2 Northwestern.
Northwestern and New Mexico would finish the 10-inning emotional contest in a 3-3 tie, completing the final game of the Ultimate Dugout Baseball Fiesta in Albuquerque, N.M. All three Wildcat games were played at Isotopes Park, home of the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes.
The reason for the tie? Northwestern had to catch a flight back to Evanston, and as the game wore on, both coaches agreed to stop the game after the 10th inning.
NU scored three runs on eight hits in the first three innings, but could not hang on, as the Lobos--who managed just two hits in the game--scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, to tie the game. Both teams had chances to score in the final two innings, as NU played its first extra-inning contest of the season.
The tie, the fifth of head coach Paul Stevens' career, brings NU's record to 2-3-1, after a 1-1-1 three-game weekend. The University of Nebraska won the tournament with a 3-0 record.
After registering two hits in the top of the first inning, Northwestern strung together consecutive hits to take a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Jason Krynski got things going with a single up the middle and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Catcher Dan Pohlman plated Krynski with a single to center and advanced to second on the throw to the plate. Lobo starter Darren Coltrinari buckled down after that, striking out two of the next three hitters to end the inning. A pop out to the shortstop was sandwiched between the two Ks.
The offense kept rolling in the third, scoring two runs on three hits, to take a 3-0 lead. Josh Lieberman laid down a perfect lead off bunt-single and advanced to second on a Mark Ori groundout. Jon Mikrut followed with a 0-2 RBI-double down the left field line, plating Lieberman. Mikrut advanced to third when Anthony Wycklendt grounded out the second baseman and scored on a Krynski infield single to deep shortstop.
New Mexico scored its first unearned run in the bottom of the fourth inning as the leadoff hitter reached second after a two-base NU error. The runner advanced the final 180-feet on two groundball outs to the right side of the infield.
Northwestern threatened in the top of the sixth, leaving the bases loaded. Krynski hit a one-out single to center and advanced to third on two wild pitches. Following two walks, Lobos reliever Mike Smith struck out the next two Wildcats to end the threat. In all, Northwestern left 10 men on base, five in scoring position.
Krynski ended the game 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, the Lobos tied the game 3-3, scoring two more unearned runs.
Brauer, who went 1-for-1 at the plate, left the game in the eighth (7 2/3), without giving up a hit and striking out 10. NU made three errors behind him, making all three runs unearned. Brauer's 10 Ks is the most by any Wildcat pitcher in a single game this season.
Junior Chris Hayes relieved Brauer with two outs and the tying run on second base. The next batter hit a double to left centerfield and tied the game. The double was the first hit of the game for New Mexico. A fly out to center ended the inning.
In the top of the ninth, NU put runners on second and third with one out and failed to score. With the Lobo infield in on the grass, Caleb Fields was cut down at home on a groundball to second base. Lobos reliever Kevin Letz induced another ground ball to end the Wildcat threat.
In the bottom of the ninth, New Mexico left fielder Garrick Haymore received a one out walk and went to third on a perfectly executed hit-and-run, leaving runners on the corners with one out. Following the hit, the shortstop Mikrut and the pitcher Hayes switched positions. With the runner of first moving, Mikrut induced a ground ball back to the pitcher (himself) for the double play.
In the 10th, Matt Brimmer led off with a single to right and was quickly picked off for the first out of the inning. Krynski walked but was left stranded after a fly out and a groundball ended the half inning.
In the bottom of the 10th, which would turn out to be the final three outs of the game, Mikrut issued a lead off walk, which advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt. A fly out to shallow left and a pop out to second base ended the game.
Offensively, NU managed 11 hits, with seven different Wildcats hitting safely. Krynski, Mikrut and Pohlman tallied RBI in the game.
The 'Cats are next in action when they travel to Gainesville, Fla., for a three-game set vs. the University of Florida. Game one vs. the Gators is scheduled for 2 p.m. (EST) Saturday March 28 at Florida's Perry Field.
