Northwestern
15-30
Milwaukee
16-30
McElfatrick Powers 'Cats past Panthers, 9-3
5/8/2024 9:42:00 PM | Baseball
EVANSTON, Ill. – Owen McElfatrick went yard twice, first with a grand slam in the the sixth and a two-run homer in the eighth, as Northwestern took down Milwaukee, 9-3 on Wednesday afternoon at Rocky and Berenice Miller Park.
Milwaukee (16-30) got on the board first after catcher Ben Buehring doubled to right center and scored two Panthers in the top of the second. The 'Cats struck back in the bottom of the inning after Lorenzo Rios plated Tony Livermore with an RBI single to cut the lead in half.Home Sweet Home! ???? pic.twitter.com/N4qDq1Mpos
— Northwestern Baseball (@NUCatsBaseball) May 8, 2024
The Wildcats (15-30) tied it in the bottom of the third on a Griffin Arnone triple that plated Bennett Markinson.
The Panthers grabbed the lead again in the top of the fourth on a solo home run to left by Zach Lane. In the bottom of the inning with Lorenzo Rios on third, Preston Knott grounded out to the first baseman, scoring Rios and knotting the score at three apiece.
With the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth, the 'Cats took their first lead of the game on a grand slam by Owen McElfatrick, his ninth round-tripper of the 2024 campaign.
In his next at bat, McElfatrick took the Panther pitcher deep again for his first career multi-homer game, putting NU up 9-3.GRAND SLAM! 'CATS IN FRONT! pic.twitter.com/3r0pgKLAGq
— Northwestern Baseball (@NUCatsBaseball) May 8, 2024
Luke Benneche (2-2) recorded the quality start, allowing three runs on six hits in 6.0 innings pitched, striking out three.?????????????? OMAC JACK! ?? pic.twitter.com/sha9oLlrME
— Northwestern Baseball (@NUCatsBaseball) May 8, 2024
Nolan Morr entered in relief of Benneche in the top of the seventh, retiring all nine batters in order to earn his first career save. The lefthander struck out the side in the seventh inning and ninth inning for a total of six punchouts.
Cole Spitzer (1-3) is credited with the loss, surrendering six runs on six hits in 3.0 innings pitched.
The Wildcats resume conference play on Friday at Ohio State for a three game series. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT, Saturday's game slated for 1 p.m. CT and Sunday's contest set for 12 p.m. CT.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Benneche, Luke (2-2)
L: Spitzer, Cole (1-3)
S: Morr, Nolan (1)
Batting:
2B: Tillmon, Sean 1 ; Buehring, Ben 1
HR: Lane, Zach 1
RBI: Lane, Zach 1 ; Buehring, Ben 2
SH: Baptiste, Evan 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Lane, Zach 2 ; Tillmon, Sean 1
SB: Hansen, Carson 1
Batting:
3B: Arnone, Griffin 1 ; Rios, Lorenzo 1
HR: McElfatrick, Owen 2
RBI: Knott, Preston 1 ; McElfatrick, Owen 6 ; Arnone, Griffin 1 ; Rios, Lorenzo 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Knott, Preston 1 ; Mills, Griffin 1 ; McElfatrick, Owen 2 ; Markinson, Bennett 1 ; Livermore, Tony 2 ; Rios, Lorenzo 2
CS: Arnone, Griffin 1
HBP: Markinson, Bennett 1 ; Rios, Lorenzo 1
