Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
2-5
Illinois State
2-5
'Cats Win Home Opener 5-1 over Redbirds
2/27/2024 5:59:00 PM | Baseball
EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern Baseball opened its 2024 home slate in style with a 5-1 win over Illinois State at Rocky and Berenice Miller Park on Tuesday.
Northwestern opened the scoring in the bottom half of the second when Tony Livermore drove in Jackson Freeman on a sharply hit single to give the 'Cats a 1-0 lead.'CATS WIN! ???? pic.twitter.com/R4uB3hVWrC
— Northwestern Baseball (@NUCatsBaseball) February 27, 2024
Illinois State evened the game at one on a solo shot to left field by Shai Robinson in the sixth inning.
Northwestern roared back for four runs in the bottom half of the frame to retake a commanding 5-1 lead. The 'Cats took a 2-1 lead on a solo home run from Bennett Markinson, his first home run of 2024. Griffin Arnone drove in Jackson Freeman on an RBI single to right field to double the Wildcat lead. The 'Cats extended the lead on an RBI groundout from Preston Knott, plating Drewbie Pinkston. Tony Livermore scored the fifth run of the inning on passed ball, giving NU a 5-1 advantage.
Kyle Potthoff started the game on the mound for the Wildcats, posting three shutout innings, allowing just two hits and striking out two Redbirds. Amar Tsengeg tossed three innings and earned the win in his Wildcat debut, surrendering one run on two hits and striking out three. Jack Dyke threw two scoreless innings, stranding five Redbird baserunners. Drew Dickson closed the game out for the 'Cats, striking out two batters in the ninth to seal the victory.BARK BLAST!
— Northwestern Baseball (@NUCatsBaseball) February 27, 2024
?? @bmarkinson9 pic.twitter.com/nE5G9wEHIG
Game Notes
- The Wildcat pitching staff did not issue a walk for the second game this season (February 23 at Duke).
- Northwestern won its sixth straight home opener.
- Bennett Markinson extended his hit streak to seven games with a sixth inning solo home run.
- Amar Tsengeg earned the win in his Wildcat debut.
- Vince Bianchina tallied his second multi-hit game of the season.
- The game marked Northwestern's earliest home game on record.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Tsengeg, Amar (1-0)
L: Perry, Tanner (0-2)
Batting:
HR: Robinson, Shai 1
RBI: Robinson, Shai 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Robinson, Shai 1
Batting:
2B: Bianchina, Vince 1
HR: Markinson, Bennett 1
RBI: Knott, Preston 1 ; Markinson, Bennett 1 ; Livermore, Tony 1 ; Arnone, Griffin 1
SH: Bianchina, Vince 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Markinson, Bennett 1 ; Freeman, Jackson 2 ; Pinkston, Drewbie 1 ; Livermore, Tony 1
SB: Ganus, Tyler 1 ; McElfatrick, Owen 1
