Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
UIC
Northwestern Falls to UIC, 6-1
3/30/2010 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 30, 2010
Box Score
CHICAGO - Northwestern was unable to muster anything offensively after the first inning in dropping a 6-1 decision at UIC Tuesday evening.
Northwestern (6-18) loaded the bases with no one out in the top of the first inning but was forced to settle for just one run. Chris Lashmet just missed a grand slam as he flew out to the wall in left center, scoring Arby Fields from third. However, the Wildcats were unable to tally any more against Tim Suminski.
NU stranded a total of six baserunners through the first three innings and UIC was able to make the Wildcats pay for the missed opportunities by pushing the tying run across in the bottom of the third. The Flames had runners on second and third with no one out, but Joe Muraski was able to limit UIC to one run on a sacrifice fly by Jason Ganek.
The Flames (6-14) took the lead with a two-out rally in the fifth. Following a two-out hit by Andy Leonard, reigning Horizon League Player of the Week Steve McGuiggan connected for a two-run home run to put the hosts in front 3-1.
Another two-out, two-strike, two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth extended UIC's lead to four. Joe Betcher connected for his second home run of the season to left field to give the hosts some breathing room.
Two Northwestern errors in the eighth allowed the Flames to add one final insurance run.
UIC's pitching staff entered the contest much maligned, but Suminski and six relievers were able to shut Northwestern down over the final eight innings of play. The Wildcats managed only six hits in the contest, including none after the third inning until there were two outs in the ninth.
The Wildcats return to action Friday as they open their home season with the first contest of a three-game series with Ohio State. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.
