EVANSTON, Ill. — Despite a valiant comeback in the form of a four-run fifth, Northwestern lost to Notre Dame, 12-4, on Tuesday.
The 'Cats batted around that inning and cut the deficit to two, before the Fighting Irish pulled away for good.
Michael Trautwein led off with a walk, then stole second three pitches later. Leo Kaplan promptly knocked in Northwestern's first run with an RBI single.
After Charlie Maxwell singled on a come-backer off the pitcher's foot, Alex Erro doubled to left for his 31st RBI of the season — second best on the roster.
Shawn Goosenberg grounded to third for the first out, then Anthony Calarco walked, loading the bases for Ben Dickey, who also walked, bringing in the third NU run of the frame. Dickey drew a career-high four walks on the afternoon and stole his team-leading 13th base.
Two batters later, with the bases still loaded, David Dunn reached on a sharply-hit error, which cut the lead to 6-4.
Notre Dame's four-run first gave them an advantage they would never relinquish. Northwestern nearly answered in the bottom half, loading the bases for Jack Kelly, but came up empty.
Kelly notched a double in the fourth, and has reached base safely in his last eight games.
Maxwell went 2-for-3 with a run in his first day at the plate since April 26. Kaplan, in his first start since April 27, went 2-for-4 with an RBI.
Tommy D'Alise threw a scoreless fifth. The righty has not given up a run in his last five innings of work — since April 21.
With a single in the first, Goosenberg has now reached safely in 13 of his last 15 games. The first-year stole second later that inning, his 11th on the season, good for second on the team.
The Fighting Irish added to their first inning with two runs in the second and three in both the sixth and seventh.
The 'Cats host Minnesota for their last regular season series of the year. The three-game set starts Thursday at 3:30 p.m.
The 'Cats batted around that inning and cut the deficit to two, before the Fighting Irish pulled away for good.
Michael Trautwein led off with a walk, then stole second three pitches later. Leo Kaplan promptly knocked in Northwestern's first run with an RBI single.
After Charlie Maxwell singled on a come-backer off the pitcher's foot, Alex Erro doubled to left for his 31st RBI of the season — second best on the roster.
Shawn Goosenberg grounded to third for the first out, then Anthony Calarco walked, loading the bases for Ben Dickey, who also walked, bringing in the third NU run of the frame. Dickey drew a career-high four walks on the afternoon and stole his team-leading 13th base.
Two batters later, with the bases still loaded, David Dunn reached on a sharply-hit error, which cut the lead to 6-4.
Notre Dame's four-run first gave them an advantage they would never relinquish. Northwestern nearly answered in the bottom half, loading the bases for Jack Kelly, but came up empty.
Kelly notched a double in the fourth, and has reached base safely in his last eight games.
Maxwell went 2-for-3 with a run in his first day at the plate since April 26. Kaplan, in his first start since April 27, went 2-for-4 with an RBI.
Tommy D'Alise threw a scoreless fifth. The righty has not given up a run in his last five innings of work — since April 21.
With a single in the first, Goosenberg has now reached safely in 13 of his last 15 games. The first-year stole second later that inning, his 11th on the season, good for second on the team.
The Fighting Irish added to their first inning with two runs in the second and three in both the sixth and seventh.
The 'Cats host Minnesota for their last regular season series of the year. The three-game set starts Thursday at 3:30 p.m.