March 1, 2008
TAMPA, Fla. -
A two-run single by freshman Nate Roberts in the top of the 10th inning was the difference as Northwestern pounded out 20 hits in a 14-12 victory over No. 21 Oklahoma State Saturday afternoon. It was the first loss of the season for the Cowboys.
Mike Kalina and Tommy Finn paced the Wildcats with four hits apiece, while Roberts drove in four and Chris Lashmet had three run-scoring singles.
The victory avenged a 13-3 loss to Oklahoma State Friday evening.
NU got on the board against OSU starter Matt Gardner in the top of the first as Kalina and Lashmet each contributed RBI singles. The Wildcats had the bases loaded with one away, but a double play kept them from building on their 2-0 lead.
Northwestern stretched its advantage to 4-0 in the third as Finn had a run-scoring groundout and Lashmet added his second RBI single of the game.
However, the Cowboys were able to get to Wildcat starter Eric Jokisch in their half of the third, scoring eight times behind just four hits. Two of the hits were big blows, though, as Rebel Ridling hit a three-run homer and Toby Davis had a grand slam.
NU answered right back with a four-spot in the top of the fourth against OSU reliever Jeff Breedlove to knot the score at 8-8. Jake Owens, Jake Goebbert, Kalina and Lashmet each had RBI singles in the frame.
The Cowboys re-claimed the lead with one run in the fifth before Northwestern got a two-run double from Roberts in the top of the sixth to go up 10-9. Oklahoma State would respond with a run in their half of the sixth without the benefit of a hit to tie things at 10-10.
It appeared as though the Wildcats might win the wild affair in regulation innings as they pushed across two runs in the top of the ninth inning. Chad Noble gave NU the lead with a run-scoring groundout, while Aaron Newman later added a run-scoring single.
The Wildcats were one out from victory in the bottom of the ninth, but Ridling hit a two-out, two-run home run, his second of the game, to force extra innings.
To Northwestern's credit, it bounced right back in the top of the 10th against OSU's seventh pitcher of the game, Jordy Mercer. With one down, Kalina singled and Finn walked. Following a groundout that moved both runners into scoring position, Roberts came through with a basehit up the middle to bring both home for the 14-12 advantage.
Bo Schultz was able to work around a leadoff walk to get a forceout and then a double play to earn the wild win.
The Wildcats were scheduled to take on host South Florida at approximately 6:30 p.m. Central time.