Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Michigan State *
Happ Humbles Spartans; Throws Complete Game 3-0 Shutout
5/21/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 21, 2004
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EAST LANSING, Mich. - Northwestern junior J.A. Happ threw his fourth complete game of the season, defeating Michigan State 3-0 Friday afternoon in East Lansing, Mich. Happ dominated the Spartans, striking out 10, in his third nine-inning complete game, and second in a row. His 10 Ks gives him 106 for the season, which is the second highest single-season total in NU history.
In his second complete game shutout of the season, Happ did not allow a runner to reach second base until the ninth inning. Two one-out singles and a two-out hit batsman loaded the bases. Happ had two punch-outs in the inning, including a called third strike to end the game.
He gave up five hits in the contest, lowering his team-leading ERA to 2.86, and upping his season record to 6-3. His 94.0 innings pitched is the most since Zach Schara pitched 96.0 in 2001.
Happ is just the second Wildcat to ever strike out over 100 batters in a season, and it is just the third time in school history. Brad Neidermaier (1992-95) did it twice, striking out 105 in 1994 and a school record 109 in 1995.
In Happ's 14 starts this season, NU went 10-4. In his last three starts of the regular season, the Illinois native pitched three complete games, giving up four runs in 25.0 innings pitched. He gave up 16 hits and struck out 20 in those games, which included wins over Illinois (seven inning game), Ohio State and Michigan State.
In the game, NU took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning, when left fielder Anthony Wycklendt smacked a single up the middle. Shortstop Jon Mikrut scored from second on the hit. Mikrut was hit by a pitch and moved to second on Jason Krynski's fielder's choice.
NU tacked on another run in the top of the fifth, taking advantage of a Spartan throwing error. Designated hitter Mike Phelps hit a one-out single through the right side, and came all the way around to score when the MSU third baseman threw the ball away. Third baseman Josh Lieberman had beaten out the errant throw on a two-out bunt single, but was cut down at third trying to advance two bases.
The Wildcats took a 3-0 lead in the top of the sixth, when catcher Dan Pohlman laced an RBI double down the left field line, scoring Matt Brimmer from third. Brimmer led off the inning with a line-drive single to right and went to second when Mark Ori was hit by a pitch. Ori went to third and Brimmer scored on Pohlman's 12th double of the season.
Offensively, NU had 11 hits in the contest, led by Ori, Pohlman and Phelps each with two. Eight of the nine starters reached base safely via a hit in the game.
The Wildcats and Spartans continue their conference series, with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m., tomorrow afternoon.
