Northwestern Claims Series Opener with 11-6 Win over Bethune-Cookman

Friday, March 1

Daytona Beach, Fla.

6 p.m. CT

Northwestern

3-5

Bethune-Cookman

4-5

Northwestern

Bethune-Cookman

Northwestern Claims Series Opener with 11-6 Win over Bethune-Cookman

3/1/2024 10:12:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Photo Gallery

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – After trailing 6-3 in the seventh inning, Northwestern responded with eight unanswered runs to claim an 11-6 win in Friday night's series opener at Bethune-Cookman.

COMEBACK 'CATS ?? pic.twitter.com/JbX4pCaBSm
— Northwestern Baseball (@NUCatsBaseball) March 2, 2024

Northwestern (3-5) struck first in the top of the first with an RBI groundout from Owen McElfatrick to take a 1-0 lead early. The Wildcats have scored in the first inning in five of their first eight games.

Bethune-Cookman (4-5) scored in the second and third innings to claim a 2-1 lead. The Wildcats responded in the top of the sixth when Owen McElfatrick doubled home Trent Liolios to even the game at two apiece. Later in the same inning, Bennett Markinson put the 'Cats in front with an RBI single to plate McElfatrick, giving NU a 3-2 edge.

BCU responded with four runs in the sixth to take a 6-3 lead into the game's seventh inning. Northwestern responded yet again with four runs in the 7th to take a 7-6 lead. Griffin Arnone's RBI double trimmed the deficit to 6-4. Vince Bianchina plated Arnone with an RBI single of his own to cut the BCU lead to one. Owen McElfatrick equalized the game on an RBI single through the right side to bring Bianchina home. Drewbie Pinkston gave the 'Cats the lead with a bases-loaded walk to put NU ahead for good.

NU added some insurance in the ninth, when a Griffin Arnone bunt single with the bases loaded drove home Jackson Freeman. Next batter, Vince Bianchina cleared the bases with a three-RBI double, extending the NU lead to 11-6.

Garrett Shearer (1-1) earned the win for the 'Cats, taking over for Nolan Morr in the sixth inning. The first-year claimed his first collegiate win, throwing 3.2 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and issuing one walk. Morr threw 5.1 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits, striking out four and issuing three walks.

Gallery: (3-1-2024) Baseball at Bethune-Cookman - Game 1

Game Notes

Vince Bianchina drove in four runs on three hits.
Owen McElfatrick had three RBI.
Bennett Markinson extended his season-opening eight game hit streak.
First-year Jackson Freeman has reached base safely in his first eight collegiate games.
Griffin Arnone drove in two runs on three hits.

First pitch for Saturday's Game Two has been moved up for 12 p.m. ET/11 a.m. CT due to concerns of inclement weather. Luke Benneche (0-0, 3.38 ERA) is set to start on the mound for NU, while Marcos Gamboa (1-1, 6.14 ERA) is slated to get the start for BCU.