EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern (19-22) used a monster eighth inning to outlast Illinois State (27-18), 6-3, in a mid-week matchup on Wednesday afternoon at Rocky & Berenice Miller Park.
 
The offense was led by Casey O'Laughlin who went 3-for-4, picking up both an RBI and a run in the contest. The performance was O'Laughlin's second three-hit performance of the year. Jack and David Dunn each picked up two hits and an RBI in the win.
 
Parker Hanks got the start for the 'Cats and went two full innings, giving up just one hit in the process. Hanks was backed up by a strong bullpen effort, with appearances from Danny Katz, Anthony Alepra, Jack Pagliarini, Sam Lawrence, Nick Paciorek, and Josh Levy. The staff combined for eight strikeouts in the game.
 
The visiting Redbirds struck first with a run in the top of the third inning, but the 'Cats quickly answered with back-to-back doubles from O'Laughlin and Jack Dunn, tying the game at one.
 
The game slowed down before the Redbirds used small ball and a wild pitch to score two more runs in the eighth.
 
The Wildcats responded once again, batting around and scoring five runs in the bottom half of the eighth to take a three-run lead. Ben Dickey, David Dunn, Michael Trautwein, Jack Anderson, and O'Laughlin each picked up an RBI in the outburst.
 
Northwestern is scheduled to return to action on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. CT for the first of a three-game set against Big Ten foe Nebraska.

 

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