April 16, 2006
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - With one out in the bottom of the seventh inning, a lightning bolt flashed across the sky. The first-base umpire called teams off the field and soon word spread that tornados were just miles away. Soon after everyone was evacuated from Illinois Field, the skies opened and rain poured on the uncovered field for approximately 40 minutes. And because of the Big Ten's policy on lightning, the tarp was never put on the field. The game was called soon thereafter. Illinois won the game 3-1. Northwestern fell to 12-19 overall, 9-3 in the Big Ten.
Despite the loss, Northwestern remains atop the Big Ten standings, leading second-place Michigan (8-4) by one game.
In the game, Illinois went up 2-0 in the bottom of the third inning. A leadoff single stole second and went to third on a double. A groundball to the Wildcat shortstop scored the first run. With two outs and a runner on second, a pop-up was dropped as infielders collided. The error allowed the runner to score from second base and give the Illini a 2-0 lead.
After doubling in the second inning, left fielder Anthony Wycklendt (Glendale, Wis./Nicolet) cut Illinois' lead in half with a solo home run deep over the left-field wall. It was his third round-tripper of the season.
Wildcat starter Julio Siberio (Davie, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas) worked himself out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the bottom of the sixth inning. With one run already in on a single, Siberio induced a pop out and groundball to Tommy Finn (Valparaiso, Ind./Andrean) at shortstop. A single, double and a one-out intentional walk loaded the bases.
The score after six complete innings was 3-1 Illinois.
That's where the game would end. NU threatened in the top of the seventh when leadoff singles by Caleb Fields (Oak Park, Ill./Fenwick) and Jake Owens (Stevens Point, Wis./Pacelli) were stranded after a fielder's choice out at second base and a double play.
Northwestern takes on Valparaiso at 3 p.m. at Rocky Miller Park in Evanston.