April 10, 2011

Box Score

WATCH: Game Highlights

Site: Evanston, Ill. (Rocky Miller Park)
Score: Northwestern 9, Penn State 8
Records: NU (9-19, 2-4 Big Ten), Penn State (19-10, 4-2 Big Ten)
Next NU Event: Tuesday, April 12, at UIC (Flames Field), 7:05 p.m.

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Jack Havey drove in five runs, including a two-out, two-run single in the bottom of the eighth that gave Northwestern the lead as the Wildcats came back to defeat Penn State 9-8 Sunday afternoon at Rocky Miller Park.

Playing in unseasonably warm temperatures in the upper 70s, the teams battled back and forth with both starting pitchers struggling. NU right-hander Luke Farrell battled with his control, allowing three walks in the second inning which combined with a two-out error by the Wildcats gave the guests a 2-0 lead.

Lack of command by PSU starter Heath Johnson in the bottom half of the frame helped Northwestern get a run back. A walk, a hit batter and two wild pitches helped set up a run-scoring groundout by Jake Straub to make it 2-1.

After the Nittany Lions left the bases loaded in the top of the third, Johnson came unglued in the home half of the inning. Following a leadoff walk to Trevor Stevens, Johnson's pickoff throw to first was errant. However, the ball bounced off the fence and right back to first baseman Joey DeBernardis who teamed up with shortstop Michael Glantz to cut down Stevens at second. But three more consecutive walks marked the end of Johnson's day.

Greg Welsh came on in relief and was immediately greeted by a two-run single by Chris Kontos.

Farrell wasn't able to make it out of the fourth, though, as the Nittany Lions got four runs on just two hits with help from three walks, three wild pitches and an error.

The shootout continued in the bottom of the fourth with Northwestern plating three to tie the game 6-6. With two outs and one on, an error kept the inning going. After Chris Lashmet was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Havey cleared them with a three-run double to left-center.

The scoring spree rolled on in the top of the fifth as PSU scored twice against Jack Quigley on a passed ball and an RBI single by Jordan Steranka. From there, the bullpens took over. After the Wildcats put the first two men on in the seventh but couldn't score, NU put together its winning rally in the eighth.

Following two scoreless frames by Matt Gailey, pinch hitter Jack Livingston led off the bottom of the eighth with a single. With one out, Trevor Stevens drew a walk, prompting the Nittany Lions to turn to closer Ryan Ignas. Snieder got the Wildcats within one with an RBI single up the middle to plate pinch runner Cody Stevens. A groundout moved two into scoring position with two outs before Havey delivered with a single down the third base line that got under the glove of Steranka and gave Northwestern the lead.

The one-run advantage was enough for Snieder, who worked a perfect ninth inning to earn his third save of the season. Gailey (2-3) picked up the win, allowing just one hit with two strikeouts over two scoreless frames.

Havey had three hits for the Wildcats, while Snieder and Kyle Ruchim added two apiece.

Northwestern returns to action at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday as it makes the short trip to UIC.

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