May 11, 2011
Site: Evanston, Ill. (Rocky Miller Park)
Score: Northwestern 4, Chicago 3
Records: NU (17-27), Chicago (18-12-1)
Next NU Event: Friday, May 13 -- vs. Michigan (Rocky Miller Park), 3 p.m.
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Paul Snieder and Kyle Ruchim teamed up to strike out three consecutive batters in the top of the ninth with the tying run on third base to help Northwestern secure a 4-3 win over the University of Chicago Wednesday afternoon at Rocky Miller Park.
The Wildcats took a two-run lead into the ninth, but a single, a wild pitch, a single and another wild pitch plated one run and advanced the tying run to third with no one out. However, Snieder was able to fan Nick Fazzari for the first out before NU turned to Ruchim. The freshman flame-thrower struck out consecutive .400 hitters to preserve the victory and earn his third save of the season.
Northwestern jumped on the board first in the bottom of the second as Jack Livingston singled with one away and advanced to second on Patrick Miller's two-out bunt hit. Cody Stevens then followed with an RBI single to right field to give the 'Cats the lead.
The Maroons answered right back in the top of the third as William Katzka hit a leadoff singled and scored when Marshall Oium hit a double to left center.
The Wildcats jumped right back in front in the ensuing half inning as Trevor Stevens started the frame with a single, moved to second on a wild pitch and then scored when Snieder's grounder to second hit the lip and bounced over the second baseman's head for an RBI single.
The scoring continued in the top of the fourth as Chicago scored an unearned run. JR Lopez led off and reached on a fielding error before consecutive singles brought him home to make it 2-2.
With a heavy threat of rain in the area, NU reclaimed the lead right back with a two-out rally in the home half of the fourth. Miller was at first with two down when he stole second and then came around to score on Trevor Stevens' basehit to center.
The threat of precipitation dissipated and Northwestern finally tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh. Trevor Stevens started the inning with his third hit of the game and moved to second on a hit by Snieder. Following a pitching change, Stevens stole third and later scored on a wild pitch.
Matt Gailey pitched a pair of hitless frames with three strikeouts in the seventh and the eighth before Chicago rallied to make things interesting in the ninth.
Trevor Stevens was a perfect 3-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored, while Miller was 2-for-2 with a pair of walks. Tyson (2-5) picked up the win, allowing five hits, two runs (one earned) and one walk while striking out three over five innings of work.
Northwestern returns to action at 3 p.m. Friday as it opens a three-game series with Michigan at Rocky Miller Park.
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