Louisville Rallies Past Northwestern in Series Opener

Friday, March 8

Louisville, Ky.

12 p.m. CT

Northwestern

5-6

Louisville

9-4

Northwestern

Louisville

Louisville Rallies Past Northwestern in Series Opener

3/8/2024 3:46:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Photo Gallery

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Northwestern baseball fell 11-5 at Louisville in the first game of a three-game set on Friday afternoon at Jim Patterson Stadium.

Northwestern jumped out to an early lead, plating two runs in the top of the second to take a 2-0 lead. Vince Bianchina drove in Jackson Freeman for the first run of the game. Bennett Markinson drew a bases-loaded walk to bring around Zach Selfon, giving Northwestern a 2-0 advantage early.

Louisville responded to tie the game on a two-run home run in the bottom half of the fourth inning, and took the lead on a wild pitch later in the frame. The Cardinals followed that up with three more runs in the bottom of the fifth to extend their lead to 6-2.

NU responded in the top of the sixth with a bases-loaded double from Owen McElfatrick, plating Freeman, Selfon, and Griffin Arnone to cut the deficit to one.

?? TWOOOOOOOOO@o_mcelfatrick clears the bases and we're within one! pic.twitter.com/fIFyRCsz9g
— Northwestern Baseball (@NUCatsBaseball) March 8, 2024

Louisville added two in the sixth, two in the seventh, and one in the eighth to claim an 11-5 victory in the series lidlifter.

Nolan Morr (2-2) was credited with the loss for the Wildcats. The Colebrook, Connecticut native surrendered six runs on eight hits in four innings pitched, matching his career-high with seven strikeouts.

Sebastian Gongora (2-0) earned the win for UL, allowing five runs on six hits in 5.1 innings of action.

Gallery: (3-8-2024) Baseball at Louisville - Game 1

Game Notes

Jackson Freeman tallied his second-career multi-hit game with two singles.
- Freeman has now reached base in his first 11 collegiate games.
- Freeman's two runs bring his season total to a team-high 12.
Owen McElfatrick recorded his fifth multi-RBI game of the season, driving in a career-high three RBI on a bases-clearing double in the sixth inning.
- McElfatrick has knocked in 10 RBI over his last four games.

Game Two of the series is scheduled for 12 p.m. CT on Saturday, March 9 on ACCNX. RHP Luke Benneche (0-0, 4.15 ERA) is set to get the start for Northwestern, while LHP Evan Webster (1-0, 0.64 ERA) is the probable starter for Louisville.