Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Northeastern
Northeastern's Late Rally Stuns Wildcats to Earn Sweep
3/1/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 1, 2009
Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -
For six innings, Northwestern was cruising along in the nightcap of its Sunday doubleheader with Northeastern. But a stunning four-run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning gave the Huskies a 4-3 victory and a doubleheader sweep of the Wildcats. Northeastern won the first game of the twinbill 6-4.
Northwestern falls to 2-6 with the two losses while the Huskies improve to 2-1.
Junior left-hander Joe Muraski handcuffed the Huskies over the opening six innings of play, allowing just two hits. After allowing a double to lead off the final frame, Muraski was lifted in favor of closer Matt Havey.
Following a Wildcat error that brought the tying run to the plate, Havey recorded a strikeout for the first out of the inning. A single loaded the bases before David Gustafson cleared them with a double to tie the game 3-3. Gustafson took third on the throw to the plate. Following a pair of intentional walks to load the bases, James Donaldson drew a free pass of the unintentional variety to bring home the winning run for the Huskies.
Northwestern had taken the lead in the fifth with a run-scoring double by Tony Vercelli and an RBI single by Trevor Stevens. The Wildcats increased their lead to 3-0 in the sixth as Chris Lashmet plated Chris Kontos with a two-out single.
Muraski was forced to earn a no decision despite allowing just three hits and striking out seven in six innings pitched.
A three-run fourth inning proved to be the difference as Northeastern defeated Northwestern 6-4 in the opening game.
Kenneth Avila and Paul Snieder led the Wildcats with two hits apiece.
Northeastern jumped on the 'Cats right away for three runs in the top of the first against freshman starter Francis Brooke.
Northwestern did all of its damage at the plate in the bottom of the third, scoring four times to take a 4-3 lead. Trevor Stevens started the frame with a double and he advanced to third on a single by Avila. A third consecutive hit by Tommy Finn plated Stevens to get the Wildcats on the board. A walk to Jake Goebbert loaded the bases before Northeastern was able to turn a double play with a run scoring. Tony Vercelli evened the game with a run-scoring hit before Snieder gave Northwestern the lead with an RBI triple.
Unfortunately for the Wildcats, the lead proved to be short-lived. The Huskies answered right back with the decisive three-run rally in the top of the fourth. Northwestern mistakes played a huge role in the inning as two errors and two passed balls helped Northeastern take a two-run advantage.
After starter Trevor Smith held the Wildcats at bay in the bottom of the fourth, Dan Zehr shut Northwestern down over five innings of relief. The Wildcats got the leadoff batter on base in the fifth, eighth and ninth innings and had the tying run on base in the seventh but were unable to convert.
The game was halted by a rain delay in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Senior right-hander Brian Morgan tossed 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief for Northwestern, scattering four hits while striking out two. Brooke took the loss despite striking out six in 3 1/3 innings of work.
Northwestern returns to action next weekend as it plays a four-game series at Kansas.
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