Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Penn State *
Wildcats Fall to Nittany Lions in Series Opener, 12-1
4/21/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Northwestern 1, Penn State 12
Download Free Acrobat Reader
April 21, 2006
Box Score
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern's hurlers pitched out of trouble for much of the game, but a nine-run seventh inning sealed the deal for Penn State en route to a 12-1 win over the Wildcats Friday at Rocky Miller Park. Caleb Fields (Oak Park, Ill./Fenwick) went 1-for-4 on the day and came within inches of hitting a home run, while Tony Vercelli (Wilmington, Ill./Wilmington) tallied Northwestern's lone RBI of the day.
Penn State struck first in the top of the second inning as a pair wild pitches came back to haunt NU starter Mike Folan (Arlington Heights, Ill./St. Viator). Penn State shortstop James Gaffney reached first on a fielder's choice, then advanced to second on a Folan wild pitch. After Folan struck out PSU's Cory Wine, Gaffney advanced to third on another Folan wild pitch. PSU's Aaron Greenfield then singled on a ball hit sharply to Tommy Finn (Valparaiso, Ind./Andrean), scoring Gaffney.
Folan got the next batter to ground out, however, and ended the inning relatively unscathed.
The Nittany Lions extended their lead to 3-0 in the top of the fourth. Nittany Lions' designated hitter James Leitgeb began the inning by knocking a double to left field. On the very next pitch, Gaffney singled back up the middle, driving in Leitgeb.
Gaffney then advanced to second on another wild pitch before Wine was walked. Folan then hit Greenfield trying to come inside, loading the bases for the Nittany Lions. Gaffney subsequently scored on a fielder's choice, increasing Penn State's lead to 3-0.
While the 'Cats gave up two runs in the inning, it may have been worse if not for a calculated risk taken by Finn at shortstop. With the bases loaded and Northwestern's Andrew Smith (Fort Mitchell, Ky./Beechwood) on in relief, Penn State's Brian Earnst hit a hot grounder towards Finn. Instead of taking the conventional play to first, Field threw home and caught Wine by nearly five feet, saving the Wildcats a run. Smith got two of the next three Nittany Lion batters to ground out, ending the inning with only two runs scored by the opposition.
The Wildcats looked to get things going offensively in the bottom of the seventh. Fields started the inning by hitting a bomb to right field. While it missed clearing the fence by a matter of inches, Fields ran into second with a one-out double. In the Wildcats' next at-bat, head coach Paul Stevens showed why he is the skipper as he penciled in Vercelli to pinch hit for Dan Brauer (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton Warrenville). Vercelli came through for the Wildcats as he singled to center field, scoring Fields from second. The Wildcats' comeback abruptly ended in the next at-bat, however, as second baseman Jake Owens (Stevens Point, Wis./Pacelli) lined out to the PSU second baseman, who promptly threw to first to double-up Vercelli.
Northwestern appeared to be headed for a comeback, but the momentum they gained in the seventh was short-lived as the Nittany Lions busted the game wide open in the top of the eighth.
After Gaffney began the inning by grounding out, Wine took first on a fielding error by Finn. Smith then walked the next batter before heading to the dugout with Dan Schwartz (New York, N.Y./Amherst College) coming out of the bullpen in relief.
Penn State then had batters reach base safely in its next nine at-bats. All in all, the Nittany Lions recorded nine runs on six hits and an error in an inning that prevented the 'Cats at making any sort of run back into the game.
While the score may not have shown it, the 'Cats had a handful of players shine defensively. The Wildcats turned five double plays on the day, led by Finn who had a game-high 10 putouts at shortstop.
Penn State's Alan Stidfole earned the win after keeping the Wildcat hitters on their heals all game long. The senior threw a seven-hit complete game, while allowing only one run and striking out five.
Greenfield did most of the Nittany Lions' damage on offense, as he had three RBIs on a two-for-three day at the dish.
With the loss, Northwestern falls to 12-21 overall, 9-4 in Big Ten play.
The Wildcats resume conference play as they host Penn State for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 23 at Rocky Miller Park.
