PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Despite overcoming a six-run deficit, Northwestern fell, 10-9, to Butler in extra innings in its third game of the Snowbird Baseball Classic.
Northwestern (4-7) outhit Butler (3-7) in the contest, 17-15. Nine Wildcats tallied hits on the afternoon, led by Zach Jones and Matt Hopfner who each collected four knocks.
Hopfner (0-1) was the losing pitcher of record after coming in from right field to pitch during the 10th inning and surrendering the go-ahead run. Butler's Zach Barnes picked up his first win of the season.
Peter Hofman made his second start of the season and went 2.1 innings to earn a no decision. Jake Stolley came out of the bullpen in the seventh inning and tossed a team-high 3.0 innings to keep the Wildcats within striking distance through the late stages of the game.
Northwestern trailed, 7-1, in the bottom of the fifth until the Wildcats' bats got hot, scoring six runs over the next three innings to pull within a run, 8-7. The Bulldogs added an insurance run in the top half of the ninth inning to take a 9-7 lead into the final frame.
With their backs against the wall, Northwestern scraped together a pair of runs to stay alive. After hitting a single to begin the inning, Z. Jones advanced to second on a wild pitch. Joe Hoscheit ripped a double to the gap on the next pitch to trade places with Z. Jones at second base and bring the 'Cats within a run.
Hoscheit finished the game 2-for-5 with a pair of RBIs.
In the following at-bat, Hopfner doubled down the leftfield line to bring home the game-tying run and eventually send the game to extra innings.
The Bulldogs played small ball in the top half of the 10th and managed to score the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly to right field.
Northwestern will play its final game of the Snowbird Baseball Classic tomorrow at 11 a.m. CT against in-state foe Illinois State.
Northwestern (4-7) outhit Butler (3-7) in the contest, 17-15. Nine Wildcats tallied hits on the afternoon, led by Zach Jones and Matt Hopfner who each collected four knocks.
Hopfner (0-1) was the losing pitcher of record after coming in from right field to pitch during the 10th inning and surrendering the go-ahead run. Butler's Zach Barnes picked up his first win of the season.
Peter Hofman made his second start of the season and went 2.1 innings to earn a no decision. Jake Stolley came out of the bullpen in the seventh inning and tossed a team-high 3.0 innings to keep the Wildcats within striking distance through the late stages of the game.
Northwestern trailed, 7-1, in the bottom of the fifth until the Wildcats' bats got hot, scoring six runs over the next three innings to pull within a run, 8-7. The Bulldogs added an insurance run in the top half of the ninth inning to take a 9-7 lead into the final frame.
With their backs against the wall, Northwestern scraped together a pair of runs to stay alive. After hitting a single to begin the inning, Z. Jones advanced to second on a wild pitch. Joe Hoscheit ripped a double to the gap on the next pitch to trade places with Z. Jones at second base and bring the 'Cats within a run.
Hoscheit finished the game 2-for-5 with a pair of RBIs.
In the following at-bat, Hopfner doubled down the leftfield line to bring home the game-tying run and eventually send the game to extra innings.
The Bulldogs played small ball in the top half of the 10th and managed to score the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly to right field.
Northwestern will play its final game of the Snowbird Baseball Classic tomorrow at 11 a.m. CT against in-state foe Illinois State.