March 21, 2004

Box Score

Wright State Box Score in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader

BRADENTON, Fla. - In a game where hits were hard to come by, a bases-loaded walk to Mark Ori proved to be enough as Dan Brauer and Jon Mikrut combined to pitch Northwestern's first shutout of the season. Brauer struck out a career-high 13 and walked none in seven complete innings, improving his record to 2-1. Mikrut pitched the final two innings for his first save as NU improves to 7-7-1 overall.

It was Mikrut's first save of 2004 and 12th of his career. Mikrut needs just five more saves to tie the NU career record for saves.

After averaging 18 hits a game in the first two games of its spring break trip, NU managed just five hits in Sunday's contest. Josh Lieberman and Anthony Wycklendt each had two hits as Jason Krynski recorded one. But it was Ori's RBI base-on-balls that proved to be the difference.

In the sixth inning, Ori stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. Five pitches later he walked to first, bringing in Matt Brimmer from third. NU loaded the bases in an unorthodox manner, Josh Lieberman was hit by a pitch and on an attempted sacrifice by Brimmer, the Raider catcher misplayed the ball, putting runners on first and second with no outs. After a Wright State pitching change, Krynski reached base on another sacrifice bunt, which turned into a base hit when the Raider catcher was called for interference, loading the bases. After an infield fly for the first out, Lieberman was cut down at home on an infield ground ball. Ori followed with his team-leading 11th walk of the season.

That's all Brauer needed, striking out nine of the first 12 outs, giving up five hits in the process. WSU did not get a runner in scoring position until the sixth inning. Brauer responded by striking out two of the next three hitters to end the Raider threat. His 13 Ks is a season high for any Wildcat pitcher, as the Raiders ended the game with a .179 batting average.

Mikrut struck out two in his two innings of work, inducing a double play ball to end the game.

NU is 3-0 on its spring break trip and is next in action on Tuesday, March 23, when it travels to Stetson University in DeLand, Fla. Game time is set for 7 p.m. (EST).

Wildcat Baseball Camps

The Team

Statistics

2012 Baseball Viewbook

Fan Zone

Rocky Miller Park

Listen to the Wildcats

Contact The Coaches