Friday, April 28

Evanston, Ill.

Noon

Northwestern

16-24, 0

Michigan State

22-16, 0

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Michigan State	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	1	4	8	8	0
Northwestern	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	6	3

Northwestern Splits Doubleheader with Michigan State

4/28/2017 7:01:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

EVANSTON, Ill. – Alex Erro went 4-for-8 on the day, scoring a run in each game and Wildcat starting pitchers allowed just one earned run in 10.2 innings, as Northwestern split their doubleheader with the Michigan State Spartans.

Northwestern (17-24, 6-7 B1G) struck out 15 batters between the two games, while allowing Michigan State (22-17, 6-7 B1G) to only advance four runners into scoring position. The Wildcats fell in the opener, 8-1, before rallying to take game two, 3-2.

Cooper Wetherbee gave the Wildcats a good start in the mound in game one, holding Michigan State scoreless through five innings. The senior had a career high six strikeouts in 5.1 innings, scattering three hits while allowing no earned runs.

Alex Erro got the Wildcats off to a quick start by leading off the first with a leadoff double, advancing to third on a sac bunt. Northwestern then took the lead when Joe Hoscheit flew out to left for his eighth sac fly of the year, matching the program record.

Michigan State's bats came to life once Wetherbee was out of the game. The Spartans reclaimed the lead with a three-run sixth, stretching their lead out to 8-1 after the top of the ninth.

Northwestern got runners to third in the third and fifth inning, but were unable to do damage. Leo Kaplan led the team with a pair of hits, but Northwestern could not scratch back, falling 8-1 in game one.

Getting the start in game two, Hank Christie gave the Wildcats their second strong start of the day. After a pair of quick outs, Hoscheit made a diving snag to end a 1-2-3 inning. Christie would ring up four straight batters between the third and fourth innings, before finishing with just four hits allowed and one earned run in five and a third innings.

The Wildcats first threatened in the fourth inning, as Hoscheit and Hopfner reached base. Jack Claeys then punched a hit into left field, bringing both runners home and giving Northwestern an early 2-0 lead.

Claeys finished the day with a pair of RBI.

Sam Lawrence came out of the pen and continued the dominant Wildcat pitching. Lawrence inherited a bases loaded jam in the sixth inning, getting out of the inning while allowing just one run. The lefty gave up just four hits in 3.2 innings, while striking out a pair and walking none.

Erro capped his strong day by starting off the eighth inning with a single to left, before advancing on a Dunn sac bunt. Hoscheit, two time reigning Big Ten Player of the Week, was then walked to put runners on first and second. Hopfner then singled up the middle to score Erro and reclaim a Wildcat lead.

Lawrence wrapped up the victory in the top of the ninth, punching out the final Spartan batter for the 3-2 win.

Northwestern returns to action on Saturday, March 29 at 11 a.m. CT for the rubber game against Michigan State.