May 5, 2009
GARY, Ind. -
Northwestern was unable to overcome a nine-run second inning by Valparaiso as the Wildcats fell to the Crusaders 14-2 Tuesday evening at U.S. Steel Yard.
NU falls to 12-31 on the season with the loss while the Crusaders improve to 24-20.
Sloppy play in the field by the Wildcats helped the Crusaders get a pair of runs in the bottom of the first to take an early lead. A misplayed flyball to center turned into an RBI triple for Kyle Muhlsteff, while an error on a groundball brought home another run to make it 2-0.
Things didn't get any better for Northwestern in the second as Valpo sent 14 men to the plate as it scored nine runs on just six hits with three walks, a wild pitch and a pair of Wildcat errors.
NU got on the board in the top of the third as Quentin Williams jacked his fourth home run of the season over the fence in left. Singles by Jake Wilson and Trevor Stevens gave the 'Cats runners on the corners before Chris Lashmet chased home Wilson from third with a sacrifice fly.
The Crusaders tacked on two runs in the fourth and one more in the fifth to complete the game's scoring.
Matt Gailey tossed a perfect sixth inning for Northwestern, while Paul Snieder set Valpo down in order in both the seventh and eighth frames as the Wildcat bullpen sat down the final 12 batters they faced in order.
John Snelten went the distance on the mound for the Crusaders to earn the win, scattering five hits while striking out eight. Matt Diedrich lasted just 1 1/3 innings in suffering the loss.
Northwestern returns to action at 3 p.m. Wednesday as it hosts University of Chicago at Rocky Miller Park.