Zach Morton had two hits at the plate and hurled a complete game on the mound.Zach Morton had two hits at the plate and hurled a complete game on the mound.

Morton Hurls Complete Game But 'Cats Fall to Broncos, 4-1

Box Score

March 2, 2012

Box Score

Site: Port Charlotte, Fla. (Charlotte Sports Park)
Score: Western Michigan 4, Northwestern 1
Records: NU (1-6), Western Michigan (2-5)
Next NU Event: Saturday, March 3 -- vs. Xavier (South County Regional Park), 10 a.m. CT

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- Zach Morton hurled a 97-pitch complete game, but the Northwestern offense was unable to back him up as the Wildcats dropped their opener at the Snowbird Classic 4-1 to Western Michigan Friday afternoon.

It didn't take NU long to get on the board as Kyle Ruchim led off the home half of the first with a triple and scored one batter later when Morton delivered an RBI single to give the 'Cats the lead.

However, Broncos' starter Casey Webber would be stingy the rest of the way, allowing just four more hits over his five innings of work.

Western Michigan claimed the lead with a two-out rally in the top of the third. Morton retired the first two batters, but back-to-back singles preceded a wild pitch that moved both runners into scoring position. Zach Thoma then delivered a two-run single to make it 2-1.

The Broncos would add to their lead in the sixth as Jordan Tillman hit a leadoff double, moved to third on a sac bunt and then scored on a squeeze bunt by Thoma.

Northwestern had a golden opportunity in its half of the sixth to either tie the game or take the lead. Morton started the frame with a single and Paul Snieder walked, marking the end of Webber's day. Reliever Patrick Borlik walked the first batter he faced -- Jack Havey -- to load the bases with no one out. However, a pair of strikeouts sandwiched around a flyout held the Wildcats at bay.

Western Michigan would get one final insurance run in the top of the ninth as a two-out hit batter cost Morton as Jared Kujawa followed with an RBI triple to account for the final tally.

Morton scattered seven hits in his complete-game effort. He didn't walk a batter while striking out six. Morton also posted two hits at the plate, as did Geoff Rowan.

NU is set to play a pair of games Saturday, square off against Xavier at 10 a.m. Central time followed by a 1 p.m. matchup against Villanova.

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