CHICAGO — Alex Erro finished a triple shy of the cycle with three RBI and two runs scored, but Chicago State rallied to eventually top the Wildcats on a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth, 8-7, at Cougar Stadium Tuesday afternoon.
Northwestern (7-12) also looked to senior Jack Claeys for offense on Tuesday. Claeys had a big day at the plate, driving in three runs, two of which came on a home run in the top of the first. Leo Kaplan was the only other Wildcat player to tally multiple knocks, as the sophomore went 2-for-4 with an RBI-double.
First year Jack Kelly went 1-for-2 on the afternoon with a pair of walks and two runs scored.
The Wildcats used a quartet of pitchers on Tuesday, including Matt Gannon, Tyler Lass, Ryan Bader and JR Reimer. Gannon fanned four in 2.2 innings, while Bader found a groove and set down eight consecutive batters at one point during his 3.2 innings. Reimer was credited with the loss.
Jacob Vanitvelt led the way for CSU with four hits and three RBI, while teammates Matt Cox and Cody Freund tallied three and two hits, respectively. Vanitvelt's fourth hit was the game-winner, taking a pitch back up the middle in the bottom of the ninth to score Freund from second.
Robert Gutierrez threw the final four frames for Chicago State, holding Northwestern to no runs and three hits, while striking out four.
Northwestern jumped on the Cougars early. Erro doubled in the top of the first and Claeys launched his second home run of the season to put Northwestern up early, 2-0.
After Chicago State got one back in the bottom half of the first, Northwestern sprung for three more runs when Erro belted a ball over the left center fence to bring home Kelly and Jack Dunn to make it a 5-1 ballgame. The home run was Erro's second of the season. He has now had a hit in 11 straight games.
The Cougars scored three runs in the bottom of the third and the fifth innings to pull ahead, 7-6. Claeys brought the score even at 7-7 in the top of the 6th with a RBI on a fielder's choice.
Zeroes populated the scoreboard until Chicago State scored in the bottom of the ninth to walk-off with the win.
Northwestern returns to action on Friday, March 30, when the Wildcats begin a three-game set at Maryland. First pitch on Friday is set for 5:30 p.m. CT.
Northwestern (7-12) also looked to senior Jack Claeys for offense on Tuesday. Claeys had a big day at the plate, driving in three runs, two of which came on a home run in the top of the first. Leo Kaplan was the only other Wildcat player to tally multiple knocks, as the sophomore went 2-for-4 with an RBI-double.
First year Jack Kelly went 1-for-2 on the afternoon with a pair of walks and two runs scored.
The Wildcats used a quartet of pitchers on Tuesday, including Matt Gannon, Tyler Lass, Ryan Bader and JR Reimer. Gannon fanned four in 2.2 innings, while Bader found a groove and set down eight consecutive batters at one point during his 3.2 innings. Reimer was credited with the loss.
Jacob Vanitvelt led the way for CSU with four hits and three RBI, while teammates Matt Cox and Cody Freund tallied three and two hits, respectively. Vanitvelt's fourth hit was the game-winner, taking a pitch back up the middle in the bottom of the ninth to score Freund from second.
Robert Gutierrez threw the final four frames for Chicago State, holding Northwestern to no runs and three hits, while striking out four.
Northwestern jumped on the Cougars early. Erro doubled in the top of the first and Claeys launched his second home run of the season to put Northwestern up early, 2-0.
After Chicago State got one back in the bottom half of the first, Northwestern sprung for three more runs when Erro belted a ball over the left center fence to bring home Kelly and Jack Dunn to make it a 5-1 ballgame. The home run was Erro's second of the season. He has now had a hit in 11 straight games.
The Cougars scored three runs in the bottom of the third and the fifth innings to pull ahead, 7-6. Claeys brought the score even at 7-7 in the top of the 6th with a RBI on a fielder's choice.
Zeroes populated the scoreboard until Chicago State scored in the bottom of the ninth to walk-off with the win.
Northwestern returns to action on Friday, March 30, when the Wildcats begin a three-game set at Maryland. First pitch on Friday is set for 5:30 p.m. CT.