MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.- Northwestern fell to Penn State 13-10 in an offensive battle on Sunday at US Bank Stadium, splitting the season-opening series. Despite the loss, the Wildcats posted 10 runs and 17 hits.
The Wildcats jumped out to an early lead when Stephen Hrustich ripped a first-inning double to score Anthony Calarco. However, Penn State responded with a three-run first inning to put Northwestern in an early hole.
Trailing 4-1 in the top of the third inning, Michael Trautwein drove in Calarco with a single to right field. In the next at bat, David Dunn crushed a three-run homer to give Northwestern a 5-4 lead.
The 'Cats and Nittany Lions traded two-run half innings, making the score 8-7 in the top of the fifth. First-year Ethan O'Donnell put Northwestern back in the lead 9-8 with a two-run home run, the first of his career.
Penn State pulled away with a four-run sixth inning and Northwestern could not catch them.
Every Wildcat starter recorded a hit on the day, led by sophomore Stephen Hrustich who reached base five times with a career-high three hits and two walks. David Dunn posted four RBI, thanks to his three-run homer, and a 3-for-5 day at the dish.
Anthony Calarco scored three runs out of the leadoff spot and reached base four times, while Evan Minarovic recorded a career-high three hits.
The 2-2 Wildcats head to Greenville, S.C. next weekend for a four-game series with Michigan State, beginning Friday at 5:30 p.m. CT. The games will be held at Flour Field, the home of the Greenville Drive, a minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.
The Wildcats jumped out to an early lead when Stephen Hrustich ripped a first-inning double to score Anthony Calarco. However, Penn State responded with a three-run first inning to put Northwestern in an early hole.
Trailing 4-1 in the top of the third inning, Michael Trautwein drove in Calarco with a single to right field. In the next at bat, David Dunn crushed a three-run homer to give Northwestern a 5-4 lead.
Hang a breaking ball to @davedunn13?
— Northwestern Athletics (@NU_Sports) March 7, 2021
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Three-run ?? and the 'Cats are BUZZING#GoCats | @NUCatsBaseball pic.twitter.com/zUkXFvd2BV
The 'Cats and Nittany Lions traded two-run half innings, making the score 8-7 in the top of the fifth. First-year Ethan O'Donnell put Northwestern back in the lead 9-8 with a two-run home run, the first of his career.
Penn State pulled away with a four-run sixth inning and Northwestern could not catch them.
Every Wildcat starter recorded a hit on the day, led by sophomore Stephen Hrustich who reached base five times with a career-high three hits and two walks. David Dunn posted four RBI, thanks to his three-run homer, and a 3-for-5 day at the dish.
Anthony Calarco scored three runs out of the leadoff spot and reached base four times, while Evan Minarovic recorded a career-high three hits.
The 2-2 Wildcats head to Greenville, S.C. next weekend for a four-game series with Michigan State, beginning Friday at 5:30 p.m. CT. The games will be held at Flour Field, the home of the Greenville Drive, a minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.