PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Northwestern used a rollicking seventh inning to down Rutgers, 5-3, in the lidlifter of NU's penultimate Big Ten series on Friday afternoon at Bainton Field.
Ryan Bader tossed his second-straight quality start in the contest, throwing 6.1 innings pitched while allowing six hits and three runs. In his last four outings, the southpaw is 2-1 with a 1.93 ERA (6 ER/23.1 IP).
NU's stopper, Nick Paciorek, came in with one out in the seventh inning and was supremely effective. He tossed 1.2-scoreless frames, while striking out four and allowing only one hit.
Sam Lawrence came on and tossed a 1-2-3 ninth inning and earned his first save of the season.
Junior Alex Erro continued his torrid stretch, going 3-for-5. Sophomore Casey O'Laughlin reached base thrice, going 2-for-2 with a walk.
After being held scoreless for the first two innings, the Scarlet Knights struck first with a run coming from an RBI single in the bottom of the third.
RU extended its lead via a two-RBI triple in the bottom of the fourth, leading, 3-0, at the conclusion of the frame.
After being shut out offensively for six innings, Northwestern exploded in the seventh inning for five runs — all scoring via two-out hits in an inning that saw the 'Cats bat around.
Faced with a bases-loaded, two-out scenario, nine-hole hitter Jack Kelly smacked a two-RBI single to shrink the Rutgers lead to only one run.
After bringing in an reliever, Wildcat stalwart Jack Dunn hit a 2-2 pitch to right field for a game-tying single. That was his 19th two-out RBI of the season, by far the most for the Wildcats this season.
Erro kept the inning alive with a single that put the bases back loaded. The next batter, Shawn Goosenberg, gave NU their first lead of the game via a two-run double.
The Wildcats will play the second game of a three-game series against Rutgers tomorrow at 1 p.m. CT. Check NUsports.com for updates, however, as there could be inclement weather.
Ryan Bader tossed his second-straight quality start in the contest, throwing 6.1 innings pitched while allowing six hits and three runs. In his last four outings, the southpaw is 2-1 with a 1.93 ERA (6 ER/23.1 IP).
NU's stopper, Nick Paciorek, came in with one out in the seventh inning and was supremely effective. He tossed 1.2-scoreless frames, while striking out four and allowing only one hit.
Sam Lawrence came on and tossed a 1-2-3 ninth inning and earned his first save of the season.
Junior Alex Erro continued his torrid stretch, going 3-for-5. Sophomore Casey O'Laughlin reached base thrice, going 2-for-2 with a walk.
After being held scoreless for the first two innings, the Scarlet Knights struck first with a run coming from an RBI single in the bottom of the third.
RU extended its lead via a two-RBI triple in the bottom of the fourth, leading, 3-0, at the conclusion of the frame.
After being shut out offensively for six innings, Northwestern exploded in the seventh inning for five runs — all scoring via two-out hits in an inning that saw the 'Cats bat around.
Faced with a bases-loaded, two-out scenario, nine-hole hitter Jack Kelly smacked a two-RBI single to shrink the Rutgers lead to only one run.
After bringing in an reliever, Wildcat stalwart Jack Dunn hit a 2-2 pitch to right field for a game-tying single. That was his 19th two-out RBI of the season, by far the most for the Wildcats this season.
Erro kept the inning alive with a single that put the bases back loaded. The next batter, Shawn Goosenberg, gave NU their first lead of the game via a two-run double.
The Wildcats will play the second game of a three-game series against Rutgers tomorrow at 1 p.m. CT. Check NUsports.com for updates, however, as there could be inclement weather.