CHICAGO — Northwestern snapped its five-game winning streak on Wednesday night, falling to UIC, 4-2, at Curtis Granderson Stadium.
The Flames struck first with a two-run home run off the bat of Alex Dee. NU responded thanks to Willie Bourbon's 12th run scored of the season, moving him to the sole possession of the third-most this season.
Bourbon hit a double in the fifth inning, Northwestern's first hit of the game. The Illinois native advanced to third base on a wild pitch and came home on a Ben Dickey sacrifice fly.
The 'Cats scrapped across the equalizing run in the top of the sixth inning. Jack Dunn reached on a fielder's choice and came home to score on a Flame throwing error.
UIC once again took the lead in the bottom of the seventh inning after an RBI double. They would double their lead with a solo home run in the eighth.
Right-hander Tommy D'Alise allowed only one earned run over 2.0 innings pitched in his first-career start. Three tossers — Jack Pagliarini, Sam Lawrence, and Ryan Bader — combined for 4.0-shutout inning in relief of D'Alise. Lawrence fanned a pair in his spotless inning.
Josh Levy also added a scoreless inning of relief for NU.
The Wildcats tied their season low with four hits in the contest.
Northwestern will resume its Big Ten play with a three-game set at Ohio State this weekend. The first contest will be on Friday at 5:35 p.m. CT.
The Flames struck first with a two-run home run off the bat of Alex Dee. NU responded thanks to Willie Bourbon's 12th run scored of the season, moving him to the sole possession of the third-most this season.
Bourbon hit a double in the fifth inning, Northwestern's first hit of the game. The Illinois native advanced to third base on a wild pitch and came home on a Ben Dickey sacrifice fly.
The 'Cats scrapped across the equalizing run in the top of the sixth inning. Jack Dunn reached on a fielder's choice and came home to score on a Flame throwing error.
UIC once again took the lead in the bottom of the seventh inning after an RBI double. They would double their lead with a solo home run in the eighth.
Right-hander Tommy D'Alise allowed only one earned run over 2.0 innings pitched in his first-career start. Three tossers — Jack Pagliarini, Sam Lawrence, and Ryan Bader — combined for 4.0-shutout inning in relief of D'Alise. Lawrence fanned a pair in his spotless inning.
Josh Levy also added a scoreless inning of relief for NU.
The Wildcats tied their season low with four hits in the contest.
Northwestern will resume its Big Ten play with a three-game set at Ohio State this weekend. The first contest will be on Friday at 5:35 p.m. CT.