Northwestern Rally Falls Short in Extra Innings

Friday, March 20

Las Vegas, Nev.

8:05 PM

Northwestern

4-14

UNLV

10-10

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Northwestern	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	4	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	8	18	1
UNLV	4	0	0	2	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	9	16	3

Northwestern Rally Falls Short in Extra Innings

3/21/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

March 21, 2015

Box Score

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	UNLV 9, Northwestern 8 (15) Wilson Stadium • Las Vegas Box Score (Game 1)

LAS VEGAS - The Northwestern baseball team rallied with six runs in the eighth and ninth to force extra innings, but the Wildcats late push was cut short by UNLV in a 9-8 loss in 15 innings on Friday night.

Senior Kyle Ruchim and junior Zach Jones combined for four RBI on nine hits, while freshman Grant Peikert went 3-of-7 with two runs and a RBI on the night. Jones, who had seven hits of his own, tied the school record for hits in a single game. The last Wildcat to accomplish the feat was Anthony Wycklendt who tallied seven hits against Chicago State on April 15, 2003.

The `Cats opened the contest with a pair of singles down center field, but NU could not capitalize, leaving two runners stranded. The Rebels attacked early and drew back-to-back walks to load the bases before using a grand slam off the bat of senior Morgan Stotts to claim an early 4-0 lead.

The second and third innings were scoreless before the Rebels erupted for two more runs in the bottom of the fourth. Junior Joey Armstrong delivered a single through the left side to drive in senior Joey Swanner and first-year Austin Anderson. After four innings, UNLV led the Wildcats, 6-0.

Northwestern finally nicked the score column and mustered up a pair of runs in the top of the fifth. Ruchim added a sacrifice fly to right field, crossing freshman Connor Lind who reached base on an error. Jones followed up with a single - advancing to second after an overthrown ball at third - to send Peikert home.

UNLV added another score in the seventh on senior Erik Vanmeetren's solo home run to left field to make it a five-run game.

The `Cats, however, would not surrender as NU came to life in the eighth with a four-run inning. Senior Luke Dauch opened the frame with a single up the middle before sophomore Matt Hopfner was walked. Senior Cody Stevens loaded the bases with a bunt to set up Lind for the first of three RBI singles of the inning.

The Rebels, once again, drew up a one-inning run thanks to an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth to go ahead, 8-6.

NU had another explosive inning and scored two runs on two hits in the top of the ninth to knot the game at eight runs apiece and force extra innings. With two outs on the board, junior Antonio Freschet scored off an RBI single from Ruchim. Jones followed up with a double to left field, crossing Peikert for the equalizer.

After five scoreless extra innings, UNLV scratched out the game-winning run in the bottom of the 15th to dictate the final margin.

The four-game series continues Saturday with a doubleheader, beginning at 2:05 p.m. CST. Junior Matt Portland will get the nod in the opener before classmate Reed Mason takes the ball in the nightcap for Wildcats.

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