May 14, 2004
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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Northwestern junior J.A. Happ (pictured) shut down one of the Big Ten's more potent offenses, allowing one run on six hits and winning 4-1 Friday evening in Columbus, Ohio. The left-hander pitched his third complete game of the season and upped his season record to 5-3. Happ struck out five and established a single-season career high with 96 strikeouts.
NU took an early 1-0 lead when right fielder Jason Krynski hit a solo home run to left center field. Facing left-hander Josh Newman, one of the Big Ten's best pitchers, Krynski hit a low and inside pitch deep over the wall. It was his seventh round-tripper of the season, tying catcher Dan Pohlman for the team lead.
The Buckeyes threatened in the bottom of the second as designated hitter Adam Schneider lined a leadoff single to center field. After a strikeout, Schneider moved to second when first baseman Paul Farinacci singled through the right side. Happ uncorked a wild pitch, putting runners on second and third with one out. But Happ buckled down, striking out the next batter and getting a ground ball to end the OSU threat.
With one out in the third inning, center fielder Matt Brimmer was hit by a pitch, and moved to second when shortstop Jon Mikrut singled through the left side. After a fly out to center, first baseman Mark Ori hit a hard groundball to the Buckeye first baseman, which was misplayed. The OSU error allowed Brimmer to score from second base, with Mikrut moving to third. Pohlman followed with a soft liner down the left field line, scoring Mikrut. Ohio State booted another ground ball, this time to second base, loading the bases. But, Buckeye pitcher Newman ended the Wildcat threat with his fourth strikeout of the game. Second baseman Caleb Fields led off the top of the third with a single to deep in the hole at shortstop, but was picked off for the first out of the inning.
After Northwestern plated two unearned runs in the top of the third inning, to take a 3-0 lead, second baseman Drew Anderson hit a leadoff double down the left field line. Happ worked a fly ball and line out for the first two outs, but left fielder Steve Caravati switched places with Anderson, slapping his 14th double of the season to the right center field gap. A pop out ended the inning.
After three complete innings, Northwestern led 3-1.
Neither team threatened until the top of the sixth, as designated hitter Doug Beatty lined a single to center, scoring left fielder Anthony Wycklendt from second. Wycklendt hit a two-out double down the left field line to reach base. Beatty's RBI single gave NU a 4-1 lead after five and one-half innings.
That's all either team would muster offensively.
After the third inning, Happ sent down 15 of the next 16 Buckeye hitters, including nine straight at one point. He gave up two singles in that time, one of which was cut down by a double play. He struck out five in the game, eclipsing his previous season high (94) for strikeouts with 96. Happ leads the Big Ten in that category.
OSU did threaten in the ninth, putting runners on first and second with no outs. The leadoff man reached on an error and Happ issued his first and only walk of the game. Happ stepped up and retired the next three hitters to end the game.
NU and OSU are back at it tomorrow, with a doubleheader beginning at 4:05 p.m.(EDT). The games are played at Ohio State's Bill Davis Stadium.