April 30, 2010
Site: Champaign, Ill. (Illinois Field)
Score: Northwestern 11, Illinois 4
Records: NU (17-24, 8-5 Big Ten), Illinois (19-19, 5-8 Big Ten)
Next NU Event: Saturday, May 1 -- at Illinois, 3 p.m.
Box Score
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - On a night where a postgame fireworks display was shot off at Illinois Field, it was the Northwestern baseball team that provided the pyrotechnics during the contest. Arby Fields ripped a pair of homers and drove in a career-high seven runs and the Wildcats hit four home runs as a team in defeating Illinois 11-4 in front of 2,805 fans.
After a scoreless first inning, Northwestern started the explosion in the second as it touched Illinois starter Lee Zerrusen for six runs. With winds blowing out at 25 miles per hour, Chris Lashmet didn't need it as he started the frame with a mammoth blast to left-center that drew "oohs" from the crowd and gave NU the 1-0 lead.
The Wildcats loaded the bases with one away when Zerrusen mishandled a comebacker while trying to make a play at the plate as Northwestern got its second run of the game. Fields then quickly stretched the advantage to six as he socked the team's second grand slam of the season.
However, the Illini was able to answer back in its half of the second. Following a leadoff error, Michael Giller hit a two-run homer just inside the fair pole in left to make it 6-2. With one on and one out, Thomas Shelton hit a tailor-made double-play ball. NU settled for only one out on the play, though, and Illinois would go on to add to more runs in the frame to close within 6-4.
After a pair of scoreless frames, Northwestern added a run to its lead in the fifth. Paul Snieder nearly connected on the Wildcats' third round-tripper of the game as he led off the inning with a double off the top of the wall in left-center. He was at third with one away when Zach Morton drove him home with a single to left, his third hit in as many at-bats.
NU tacked on one more run in the ensuing inning to stretch its advantage to 8-4. The Wildcats loaded the bases on an error, Fields' third hit of the day and a walk before Lashmet brought home Geoff Rowan from third with a sacrifice fly.
Fields' huge night continued in the seventh as Northwestern put the game out of reach. Following singles by Jack Havey and Rowan, the freshman socked a three-run blast just to the left of the batter's eye in center field to extend NU's cushion to seven.
Meanwhile, Brooke was fantastic on the hill save for the four-run second inning. After allowing four hits in Illinois' second at-bat, the sophomore right-hander scattered just four more hits the rest of the way in hurling Northwestern's first nine-inning complete game of the season.
Brooke (5-3) entered the game ranked fifth in the nation with an average of 0.93 walks per nine inning pitched and did nothing to hurt that mark as he didn't allow a free pass in his 104-pitch effort. Just one of the four runs he allowed was earned.
Fields collected four hits in the contest as NU pounded out 15 as a team. His seven RBI are the most by a Wildcat player in a game since David Gresky had 10 against Chicago State April 15, 2003. Morton and Snieder added three hits apiece.
The series between the teams continues Saturday with first pitch set for 3 p.m. Big Ten Network is providing live television coverage.
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