Vince Bianchina vs Texas A&M-Corpus ChristiVince Bianchina vs Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
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Offensive Outburst Propels 'Cats to Run-Rule Win over Islanders

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CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Northwestern baseball scored a season-high 16 runs en route to a run-rule victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Tuesday, May 19.

Northwestern jumped on the Islanders for a pair in the top of the first to take a 2-0 lead when Jackson Freeman drove in Owen McElfatrick and Vince Bianchina. A&M-CC responded for four runs in the bottom half of the first to take a 4-2 lead into the second inning. 

The Wildcats responded immediately, plating five runs in the second, capped off by a two-run sacrifice fly by Trent Liolios to take a 7-4 advantage. NU explooded for five runs again in the top of the fourth, scoring five runs on four hits. 

Trent Liolios extended the Wildcat lead to 13-5 with a solo shot to left center for his first home run of 2024 and second career jack.

Trent Tank!

?? @LioliosTrent pic.twitter.com/uxOj5U7Zge

— Northwestern Baseball (@NUCatsBaseball) March 20, 2024
NU added two more runs on three hits in the top of the sixth to extend the lead to 15-5. Preston Knott capped off the Wildcat scoring with a solo blast to right field to give NU A 16-5 advantage.

PK Power!

?? @Pknott_4 pic.twitter.com/xAMb24wv7T

— Northwestern Baseball (@NUCatsBaseball) March 20, 2024
Matt McClure (1-2) earned the win for the Wildcats, tossing five scoreless innings in relief. The Rancho Santa Margarita, California native surrendered one run on four hits, striking out four and issuing zero walks. 

The Wildcats and Islanders are set to close out the two-game midweek series with a 6 p.m. matchup on Wednesday on ESPN+. Kyle Potthoff (2-0, 2.61 ERA) is set to get the start for the 'Cats, while Jack Hill (1-1, 12.10 ERA) will start for the Islanders.