Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
Northwestern
Three-Run Sixth Dooms Indiana at Northwestern
4/8/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 8, 2006
EVANSTON, Ill. - On a cold and windy afternoon in the Windy City, the Indiana baseball team came up short against Northwestern, 4-2, in the opener of a four-game series at Rocky Miller Park on April 8. IU fell to 1-4 in Big Ten play (8-16 overall), while NU improved to 4-1 in conference action (7-16 overall).
Right-handed starter Josh Lewis (2-5) battled through seven-plus innings to keep the Hoosiers in the game. The senior surrendered four earned runs, scattered six hits and struck out four batters.
Northwestern starter Ryan Myers (1-3) was a little better, throwing 6 1/3 and giving up just one earned run on six hits and seven punchouts. Southpaw Dan Schwartz did not allow a run in the next two-plus innings, and right-hander Julio Siberio pitched the final 2/3 for his first save of the season.
At the plate, junior shortstop Josh Richardson picked up three (4 at-bats) of Indiana's seven hits.
The Hoosiers took advantage of three wild pitches and an error to score first. Senior left fielder Jay Brant raced home on Myers' final wild pitch of the third to make it 1-0.
In the fourth, junior second baseman Keith Haas worked a one-out walk and Richardson put runners on the corners with a base hit into right field. Haas collected Indiana's second run on another wild pitch to extend IU's advantage to two runs.
Lewis rolled through the first three innings, allowing just one hit, before the Wildcats tacked on a solo tally in the fourth. NU loaded the bases with nobody out, but Lewis only surrendered a sacrifice fly to left fielder Anthony Wycklendt to keep the Hoosiers ahead, 2-1.
After Wycklendt's sacrifice fly, Lewis sat down six straight batters heading into the sixth when first baseman Pat McMahon lifted a deep drive over the right-field fence to even the contest at 2-2. Northwestern went on to load the bases for third baseman Caleb Fields, who delivered the game-winning, two-run double into right-center field for the final 4-2 margin.
Runners remained on second and third with one man out when Lewis pitched out on a squeeze, and freshman catcher Billy O'Conner tagged out center fielder Max Mann for out number two. Lewis then struck out catcher Geoff Dietz to close out the inning.
The Wildcats put their first two runners on in the eighth but came up empty as sophomore right-hander David Trager retired the final three batters in order. Making his first appearance since March 17, Trager struck out a pair and lowered his team-leading ERA to 2.05 (5 earned runs in 22 innings).
IU attempted to rally in the ninth, loading the bases with one down. However, Siberio induced senior center fielder Reggie Watson to ground into a double play to end the ballgame.
Indiana and Northwestern return to the diamond for a doubleheader on Sunday, April 9. Game time is at 1 p.m. (CDT). The series finale will take place on April 10 with a 3 p.m. first pitch.
