May 5, 2010
Site: Evanston, Ill. (Rocky Miller Park)
Score: Northwestern 14, Chicago 5
Records: NU (20-25, 9-6 Big Ten), Valparaiso (18-25, 6-5 Horizon)
Next NU Event: Friday, May 7 -- vs. Indiana (Rocky Miler Park), 3 p.m.
Box Score
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern scored 13 unanswered runs after falling behind early to defeat the University of Chicago 14-5 Wednesday afternoon at Rocky Miller Park. The Wildcats collected 15 hits, while three relievers combined to hurl five shutout innings.
"I was happy that we were able to solid contributions from individuals up and down our lineup today," Northwestern head coach Paul Stevens said. "A few guys who normally don't start, or start at different positions, were given opportunities today and I though everyone played a part in the victory.
The Wildcats actually fell behind by four runs in the early stages of the contest. After the Maroons got a run off Luke Farrell in the top of the first, Trevor Stevens led off the game for Northwestern by socking his third home run of the season.
However, Chicago was able to string together six hits in its half of the second inning to surge out to a 5-1 advantage. Northwestern methodically chipped away at the deficit, though.
NU closed within two runs in the home half of the second as Arby Fields had an RBI single and Trevor Stevens scored all the way from second on a failed pickoff attempt. Following the tough second inning, Farrell was able to settle in and retired six straight batters at one point.
Northwestern closed to within 5-4 in the third on Hamilton Wise's run-scoring triple down the right field line. After Quentin Williams came on in the top of the fifth and hurled a scoreless frame, the Wildcats exploded for four runs in the bottom half of the inning. Chad Noble and Geoff Rowan had RBI singles, while Kontos drove in another with a triple to the gap in right center. Noble also scored on the Maroons' second throwing error on a pickoff attempt.
Williams and Michael Jahns kept Chicago scoreless in the sixth and seventh innings, respectively, before NU was able to put the game away in the bottom of the seventh. Trevor Stevens and Fields drew consecutive walks with the bases loaded before pinch hitter Brant Cavagnaro came through with a two-run single back up the box.
The Wildcats would tack on two final runs in the eighth on a sacrifice fly by Rowan and a run-scoring double by Trevor Stevens.
Williams (1-0) was credited with his first collegiate victory, hurling two shutout innings. He allowed two hits and one walk while striking out one. Ten different Wildcats had at least one hit and Kontos, Noble and Trevor Stevens scored three runs apiece.
Northwestern returns to action at 3 p.m. Friday as it opens a three-game series with Indiana at Rocky Miller Park.
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