Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Head to Florida for IMG Academy Tournament
3/19/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 19, 2008
EVANSTON, Ill. -
Northwestern plays six games in three days as it travels to Bradenton, Fla., to participate in the IMG Academy Tournament this weekend. The Wildcats open their slate by facing Northern Iowa in a doubleheader at 8 a.m. Central time Friday. NU will then face Kansas in a twinbill Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. Central and once more Sunday (8 a.m. Central) before closing things out with a single game against Dartmouth (noon Central).
Please note that the start times for Saturday's and Sunday's contests are different than were previously released. The games Friday and Sunday will be played at IMG Academy, while Saturday's contests will be played at Manatee Community College.
Series History vs. UNI: Northwestern leads, 6-1. The Wildcats won the last meeting 5-3 Feb. 18, 2001 in Phoenix.
Series History vs. Kansas: Northwestern leads, 3-0. The Wildcats won the last meeting 5-4 Feb. 16, 2001 in Phoenix.
Series History vs. Dartmouth: Northwestern leads, 8-3. The Wildcats won both meetings with the Big Green during the 2005 season, winning 3-2 March 24 and 11-6 March 26 in Bradenton.
Northwestern took one of three games in a series at cross-town foe UIC last weekend. Freshman Nate Roberts gave the 'Cats an 8-7 lead with an RBI single in the top of the ninth of Thursday's opener, but they were unable to hold on in falling 9-8 in 10 innings. Roberts and Mike Kalina collected three hits apiece for NU.
The Wildcats won the opening game of Friday's doubleheader 6-3 behind a three-run eighth inning. Freshman Eric Jokisch went the distance on the mound in posting the first complete game and victory of his collegiate career. Aaron Newman led Northwestern with three hits.
The 'Cats scored three times over the final two innings of the nightcap, but the rally came up just short in falling 5-3. Freshman Matt Gailey allowed only one run in four innings of relief. Jake Goebbert and Jim Grieco led NU with two hits apiece.
'Cats With Bats
Through nine games, the Wildcats lead the Big Ten with an impressive .341 batting average. Northwestern has posted at least 11 hits in eight of its nine games this season. The team's average of 3.6 extra-base hits are tops in the conference. Mike Kalina ranks first in the Big Ten with a .564 batting average. NU has done a good job making contact, averaging a Big Ten-low 4.8 strikeouts per game.
Scouting Northern Iowa
The Panthers enter Thursday's game against Illinois with a 8-8 record this season. NU will be UNI's fourth Big Ten opponent already in 2008, having beaten Ohio State and lost to Minnesota. Cory Ege leads UNI with a .379 batting average, while Brett Featherston is close behind at .375.
Scouting Kansas
The Jayhawks took an 11-7 mark into Wednesday's opening game of their trip against Illinois. Most recently, Kansas won the finale of its three-game series at No. 10 Texas by a score of 7-2. John Allman paces KU with a .351 batting average, while Ryne Price is tops on the squad with five homers and 26 RBI.
Scouting Dartmouth
The Big Green went into Thursday's game against Kansas with a 3-5 record. Dartmouth dropped a 14-9 decision Tuesday to Miami (Ohio). Brett Gardner paces Dartmouth with a .409 batting average through Tuesday's play. On the mound, Russell Young is 1-1 with a 0.75 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 12 innings pitched.
Up Next...
Northwestern opens its Big Ten season March 28-30 as it travels to Purdue for a four-game series.
