Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Ohio State *
Buckeyes Down Wildcats in Game One, 4-2
5/15/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 15, 2004
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COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio State took advantage of three Northwestern errors, winning the first game of Saturday's doubleheader, 4-2, at OSU's Bill Davis Stadium. Playing in a light, but steady rain until the fifth inning, NU managed nine hits in the game, compared to eight for OSU. But, errors proved to be downfall, as OSU scored two unearned runs in the victory. NU falls to 23-24-1 overall, 12-14 in the Big Ten.
Ohio State jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, scoring on a sacrifice fly to deep center field. Back-to-back singles by center fielder Mike Rabin and left fielder Steve Caravati set up designated hitter Adam Schneider's RBI fly out.
OSU extended their lead to 2-0 when Caravati hit a towering RBI double to the left center field gap. Rabin reached base on a Wildcat fielding error, and moved to second when the ball scooted away during the play. Rabin scored on Caravati's double.
The Wildcats finally got to Buckeye starter Scott Lewis, scoring two runs in the top of the fourth inning. After singling in his first at bat of the game, Mikrut reached base on an infield error to get things started. After a strikeout, catcher Dan Pohlman singled through the left side, putting runners on first an second with one out. Lewis buckled down again, striking out the next Wildcat hitter. Left fielder Anthony Wycklendt followed with a double to the center field wall, plating Mikrut and Pohlman. Wycklendt's ninth double of the season tied the game at two apiece.
The lead did not last long, as the Buckeyes answered in the bottom half of the inning, touching Wildcat starter Dan Brauer for two straight singles to start the inning. After a groundout failed to plate a runner, right fielder Jacob Howell hit a one-out sacrifice fly to left field. With two outs, a slow ground ball to first baseman Mark Ori was fielded, but away from him on the flip to the pitcher Brauer covering first base. On the play, the hitter advanced to second base and the runner on second came around to score. The error gave OSU a 4-2 lead after four complete innings.
That's where the game would end, with neither team making a legitimate threat for the rest of the game.
Freshman Andrew Smith relieved Brauer with a runner on first in the bottom of the sixth inning. Smith threw a perfect inning, inducing one fly ball and two ground ball outs to end the inning.
Brauer pitched five-plus innings, giving up four runs (two earned) on eight hits, while striking out five. His five Ks, gives him 91 on the season.
Wycklendt ended the game with two doubles, his ninth and 10th of the season. Mikrut went 3-for-4, reaching base ever time he stepped to the plate.
