May 22, 2010
Site: Evanston, Ill. (Rocky Miller Park)
Score: Northwestern 8, Michigan State 6
Records: NU (24-30, 13-11 Big Ten), Michigan State (34-19, 11-13 Big Ten)
Next NU Event: Wednesday, May 26 -- vs. Indiana; Columbus, Ohio (Bill Davis Stadium), 2:35 p.m. CT
Box Score
2010 Big Ten Baseball Tournament Bracket (PDF)
EVANSTON, Ill. - One would be hard-pressed to recall another recent game at Rocky Miller Park that packed so much drama, emotion, controversy and heroics as Saturday's regular-season finale between Northwestern and Michigan State. In the end, Paul Snieder's three-run walk-off home run gave the Wildcats an 8-6 victory and earned NU a berth in next week's Big Ten tournament.
"All year long, I've consistently been impressed with the perseverance and resilience of our guys," Northwestern head coach Paul Stevens said. "When the chips were down and they were up against it, they found a way to get the job done. I can't tell you how impressed I am with them and how happy I am for them that they've earned their way into the Big Ten tournament. They really deserve it."
After dropping a hard-fought 2-1 decision Friday afternoon, Northwestern faced another opportunity to win its way into the Big Ten tourney. A loss would mean that the Wildcats would have to wait and hope that tiebreakers would fall their way in order to be a part of the six-team field.
Veteran senior left-hander Joe Muraski got the starting nod on the mound for NU gave his team a solid performance. Muraski was able to strand two baserunners in scoring position in the top of the first inning before the NU offense went right to work against Tony Bucciferro.
With two outs and no one on, Snieder drew a walk before back-to-back singles by Chris Lashmet and Zach Morton loaded the bases. Trevor Stevens then delivered a two-run single to give the 'Cats the early advantage.
Michigan State had runners at second and third again in the second, but Muraski got a strikeout and a flyout to maintain the two-run cushion. However, the Spartans got one run back in the third on a leadoff homer by Torsten Boss.
MSU loaded the bases on two hits and an error with no one out in the fourth, but Muraski did a good job of limiting the damage and the Spartans only managed one run on a sacrifice fly by Seth Williams that tied the game.
Both pitchers settled in over the middle innings before Northwestern reclaimed the lead in the sixth. Lashmet blasted a one-out offering from Bucciferro deep over the fence in left to put the hosts back in front, 3-2.
The lead proved to be short-lived, though, as an error by the Wildcats with one out in the top of the seventh helped Michigan State take the lead. With runners on the corners, Jonathan Roof tied the game with a single to left. Matt Gailey then came on to replace Muraski, but Jeff Holm was able to connect for a sac fly to center to put the Spartans up by one.
Another error in the eighth helped MSU score two more runs to extend its advantage to 6-3. With men on first and third and no one out, Snieder moved from first base to the mound. The sophomore right-hander retired the next two batters without allowing a run and got to two strikes on Ryan Jones, but the freshman second baseman delivered a two-run single to center to give the guests a three-run cushion.
That's when things got wacky. Michigan State brought on closer Kurtis Frymier to start the inning and Chad Noble reached on an error to start the frame. After the next two batters were retired, Northwestern started a two-out rally. After Morton singled, Trevor Stevens was hit by a pitch to load the bases. A passed ball made it a two-run game and moved the tying runs into scoring position.
Chris Kontos delivered a single to right that scored Morton and Trevor Stevens was waved around third with the potential tying run. Stevens easily beat the throw home with MSU catcher Andy Johnson blocking the plate despite not having the ball. Stevens awkwardly collided with Johnson after touching the plate and was called out and subsequently ejected for making contact with the catcher.
The call set off a firestorm that resulted in Northwestern head coach Paul Stevens and pitching coach Tim Stoddard both being ejected.
Once the game eventually resumed, Snieder was able to sit down the Spartans in order in the top of the ninth. Arby Fields started the decisive rally in the bottom half with a one-out double down the left field line. A single to right by Noble put runners on the corners before Snieder launced a moonshot to right that cleared the fence and gave NU the exhausting victory and set off a wild celebration at the plate and in the stands.
The round-tripper marked the second consecutive season that Snieder has ended the regular season with a walk-off homer. A year ago as a freshman, his home run against Michigan gave Northwestern a 6-5 win.
NU finished with a 13-11 edge in the hit column behind three apiece by Lashmet and Morton. Snieder (2-3) was also credited with the win on the mound, allowing just one hit over two scoreless innings of relief.
The Wildcats are No. 3 seed for the Big Ten tournament and take on sixth-seeded Indiana in their opening game Wednesday at 2:35 p.m. CT. The game is being televised live by Big Ten Network.
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter and become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook! Get the latest news, schedule updates, video and interact with NU. For more information on following specific Northwestern teams online, visit our Social Media page!