Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Florida
Walk-Off Gator Grand Slam Drops NU, 5-3
2/28/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 28, 2004
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Florida's Brian Jerolman hit a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat Northwestern 5-3, Saturday afternoon at McKethan Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. The loss drops NU to 2-4-1 on the season while No. 25 Florida improves to 9-3.
In a game matching up the two teams' No. 1 pitchers, the Wildcats struck first, plating a single run in the top of the fourth inning. Right fielder Jason Krynski hit a one-out infield single and went to second on a Dan Pohlman sacrifice bunt. After Anthony Wycklendt was hit by a pitch, putting runners on first and second with two outs, first baseman Mark Ori hit a 1-1 Justin Hoyman offering through the left side, scoring Krynski.
Both pitchers cruised through the first four innings, as Wildcat starter J.A. Happ struck out seven of Florida's first 12 outs. Hoyman struck out four in the first four innings. Happ ended the game with 11 Ks, pitching six complete innings.
In a rare occurrence, Florida scored an earned run without recording a hit in the bottom of the fifth inning. Happ issued a lead off walk to seven-hole hitter Adam Davis. Davis stole second and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. Number nine hitter Austin Easley then hit a foul ball to the first base side, which first baseman Ori fell into the Gator dugout to catch. While in the dugout, Davis tagged from third and scored, tying the game 1-1.
NU recaptured the lead in the top of the seventh inning, as shortstop Jon Mikrut hit a two-out single to right scoring Josh Lieberman and Caleb Fields. Lieberman reached on a walk and went to second on Fields' bunt single. After a strikeout, Dan Brauer hit a soft groundball to shortstop, advancing the two runners, setting up Mikrut's two-RBI hit.
Junior Chris Hayes relieved Happ in the top of the seventh, pitching two-plus innings, giving up two runs (both in the ninth), and striking out two.
After Hayes gave up two singles to start the bottom of the ninth, Mikrut took over pitching duties. On his first pitch, he gave up an attempted sacrifice bunt that turned into an infield single. His second pitch was the winning home run. Mikrut's pitching record falls to 1-1.
Happ lowered his season ERA to 2.41 in the no decision.
Florida starter, Hoyman, pitched a complete game, upping his season record to 3-0.
Krynski ended the game 2-for-3, with Ori tallying one RBI and Mikrut two.
NU and Florida play game two of the three-game series, tomorrow, beginning at 1 p.m. (EST).
