April 24, 2009
COLUMBUS, Ohio -
Northwestern held No. 23 Ohio State's high-powered offense in check for eight innings and led throughout, but the Buckeyes scratched out two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to steal a 5-4 decision from the Wildcats Friday night at Bill Davis Stadium.
The Wildcats (11-25, 2-9 Big Ten) couldn't have asked for a better start, tallying three runs against OSU starter Alex Wimmers who had allowed just one total run in winning each of his last two starts. NU pieced together five hits in the frame starting with a double by Tommy Finn to left-center. Trevor Stevens' bunt turned into another hit, giving Northwestern runners at the corners with no one out.
Tony Vercelli brought home the first run with a screamer past Buckeye first baseman Matt Streng. Chad Noble and Jake Wilson each added RBI singles as the Wildcats seized the early momentum.
The Buckeyes (30-9, 10-3) got one run back against Joe Muraski in the bottom of the second as Dan Burkhart started the frame with a double and came in to score on a single by Justin Miller to make it 3-1.
Northwestern got two runners aboard in the top of the fifth but was unable to convert before Ohio State crept back within a run in its half of the frame on a solo home run by Streng.
The Wildcats got the run right back in the top of the sixth, though, as the bottom of the lineup came through with a two-out rally. Paul Snieder started things off with a leadoff single, but he was still at first with two down. Jake Wilson worked Wimmers for a walk before Hamilton Wise reached out and went the other way, serving a single into left field that plated Snieder from second.
The Buckeyes again closed within a run in the bottom of the seventh to make it 4-3. With runners on the corners and two away, a wild pitch allowed Streng to race home from third. Cory Kovanda advanced to third on the play and a walk to Burkhart marked the end of Muraski's day. David Jensen entered in relief and struck out Miller to allow NU to maintain the lead.
Ohio State got the tying run aboard right away in the eighth on a leadoff single by Ryan Dew before a sacrifice bunt moved him into scoring position. The Wildcats then turned to righty Cole Livermore who was able to get the job done, recording a groundout to third and a strikeout to hold the Buckeyes at bay.
However, OSU had the top of the order come to the plate in the ninth. Burkhart brought home the tying run with a one-out single to center and then Michael Stephens was able to beat a throw home to the plate on Miller's grounder to short for the game-winner.
Muraski deserved a better fate than his no-decision, allowing three runs (two earned) in 6 2/3 innings of work. He scattered seven hits, walked four and struck out three. Drew Rucinski pitched 1 1/3 innings of relief to earn the win for the Buckeyes.
Finn and Stevens each collected two of the Wildcats' nine hits. Burkhart, Miller, Dew and Streng had two hits apiece for Ohio State.
The teams resume their series at 1:05 p.m. Saturday.