By George! Wildcats Defeat Hatters, 3-0

Tuesday, March 23

DeLand, Fla.

6 p.m.

Northwestern

Stetson

By George! Wildcats Defeat Hatters, 3-0

3/23/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

March 23, 2004

Box Score

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DeLAND, Fla. - The Northwestern baseball team continued its winning ways in the Sunshine State Tuesday night, defeating Stetson University 3-0 at Melching Field in DeLand, Fla. It was NU's second-straight shutout, and fourth win in a row, as the Wildcats defeated Wright State 1-0 Sunday afternoon. George Kontos, making the first start of his collegiate career, went seven and one-third innings for his first win.

NU is 4-0 on its current nine-day, seven-game spring break trip and has not allowed a run in 18 straight innings. The Wildcats have won six of their last seven games.

Northwestern (8-7-1) got on the board first, scoring a single run with two outs in the top of the fifth inning off Stetson starter, Cameron Abel. Abel was cruising through the first four and two-third innings before left fielder Dan Brauer hit a looping single to right center field for the first NU run. Catcher Dan Pohlman started the two-out rally with a walk, which was quickly followed by Jon Mikrut's single off the shortstop's glove. With runners on first and second and two outs, Brauer hit the first pitch he saw into the outfield, breaking the scoreless tie.

Stetson (16-7) threatened in the bottom half of the fifth inning, as the leadoff hitter reached third base before Kontos retired the final three batters. Kontos had retired the first nine batters he faced, before two straight singles. Making his first official collegiate start, Kontos got two fly-outs, with a strikeout sandwiched between to end the threat. Kontos started an exhibition game vs. British Columbia earlier this season.

The Wildcats tacked on another run in the top of the seventh as Krynski's leadoff double crossed the plate. Krynski hit the first pitch of the inning off the center field wall, and as he coasted into second base, the Stetson center fielder dropped the ball. Krynski took advantage, advancing the extra base on the error. Pohlman followed with a sharp single to center, scoring Krynski and giving NU a 2-0 lead.

NU tacked on an insurance run in the top of the eighth inning, as Anthony Wycklendt scored on a passes ball. Wycklendt doubled to start the inning and with one out stole third without a throw. After a strikeout, Wycklendt scored on the catcher's error. It was Wycklendt's second stolen base of the year.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, a one-out double by Stetson beckoned head coach Paul Stevens to the mound. Stevens called on junior Chris Hayes to relieve Kontos after seven and one-third innings of work. Hayes made quick work, striking out the first Hatter hitter, and getting a close-play groundout to end the inning.

But Kontos was the story of the game. The freshman allowed only four hits, throwing just 82 pitches and showing masterful command of his slider. The Illinois native struck out five and walked one in his starting debut. Overall, Kontos induced 13 fly ball outs to go along with three ground ball outs and his five Ks. Nine of the 13 fly balls were to Matt Brimmer in center field.

After getting the first out of the ninth inning, Hayes was the recipient of an error, which preceded a walk. Stevens went to the mound again and made another pitching change, this time calling on the shortstop, Mikrut. Mikrut did not disappoint, striking out the first hitter he faced and getting a line drive to Caleb Fields at second base to end the game. It was Mikrut's second save of the season and 13th of his career. It is the second straight game Mikrut has contributed to a shutout. He earned his first save of 2004 last Sunday vs. Wright State, pitching the final two innings.

Hayes' appearance in the game is his 10th of the season, tops on the team.

Offensively NU had 11 hits in the game, compared to four for Stetson, but left 13 runners on base, eight of them in scoring position. Stetson left six runners on base with only one runner reaching third base.

The Wildcats are next in action when they take on Ivy League member Dartmouth in a three-game series at IMG Academy Park In Bradenton, Fla. Game one is set for 1 p.m. (EST) Thursday, March 25.