Northwestern University Athletics
Counting Down the Top 15 Moments of 2008-09
7/21/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
July 21, 2009
Complete game recap, box score and photo gallery
Northwestern University Relations Video Feature
EVANSTON, Ill. - The 2008-09 athletic year at Northwestern University was one to be remembered. Filled with a plethora of memorable wins, honors and championships, there was much to be celebrated this past year in Evanston. Be sure to follow along at NUsports.com through August 4 as a look back is taken at just some of the numerous highlights the Wildcats experienced.
"You hit one home run, and it's a dream come true. But after you hit two, it's a fantasy."
That was how Northwestern senior Tony Vercelli described socking a pair of round-trippers as the Wildcats defeated Notre Dame 5-1 in a game played at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago April 15.
Presented with the rare opportunity of playing at a Major League ballpark, NU put together one of its best all-around games of the season behind Vercelli and the left arm of sophomore Eric Jokisch who hurled five shutout innings to earn the win.
With Northwestern leading 2-0 heading into the top of the seventh, Vercelli ripped a solo shot to stretch the lead to three. The Wildcats' advantage was 3-1 entering the top of the ninth when the Wilmington, Ill., native did it again, ripping a two-run shot that provided two huge insurance runs.
"I can't tell you how proud I am of this team," NU head coach Paul Stevens said. "They've battled all year and have faced a lot of adversity. Today that persistence paid off.
"I can't tell you how fortunate we feel for getting the opportunity to do this," Stevens said of playing at the home of the Chicago White Sox.
