They’ve had their ups and downs, but for the Wildcats, life on the diamond has been far from dull.
After concluding a series in Columbus last weekend against conference rival Ohio State, the ‘Cats returned home to Rocky Miller Park to host Chicago on Tuesday afternoon. Sophomore righty Nick Friar took the hill for Northwestern, but immediately ran into trouble. Second-year Chicago slugger Ricky Troncelliti connected on a two-run double in the first inning, and would never look back. The Maroons added three runs in the fifth through a pair of infield singles and a slew of walks.
Northwestern was able to muster up three runs on RBI singles from junior Jack Havey and sophomore Kyle Ruchim, but ultimately fell on the wrong side of a 6-3 final. Senior Hamilton Wise and junior Zach Morton reached base in the home half of the ninth, but the Wildcats were unable to capitalize.
Despite Tuesday’s tough loss, spirits were high as Northwestern hit the road for Milwaukee on Wednesday. The ‘Cats took on the Panthers in a non-conference showdown at Miller Park, home of Major League Baseball’s Milwaukee Brewers. “It was awesome, you really experience the big-league atmosphere,” beamed senior Paul Snieder, who went 1-5 with a double.
“It’s just a beautiful park....it’s one of the best parks in the big leagues,” added Wise.
Milwaukee ultimately edged Northwestern by a score of 6-4, dropping the ‘Cats to 16-31 on the year. The Panthers leaped out to a 1-0 lead on the bat of Phil Striggow, but the streaky Jack Havey responded with a two-out, two-RBI single to right field for Northwestern. Sophomore starter Dan Tyson made it into the sixth inning despite allowing a two-run home run to senior infielder Paul Hoenecke. The ‘Cats still rank second in the Big Ten in homers allowed.
Pinch-hitter Patrick Miller made things interesting in the eighth with an RBI single, closing the gap to 5-4. NU couldn’t complete the comeback, and the ‘Cats were sent home to prepare for a weekend series with Indiana.
The Hoosiers entered the weekend placed second in the clustered Big Ten standings, vying for an invitation to the conference tournament. The action kicked off on Friday night, when the Wildcats took the opener by a final of 4-3. Both probables Francis Brooke and Indiana southpaw Joey DeNato entered the game with sub-3.00 ERAs, but the game was a slugfest early on. Colby Everett gave the Wildcats an early lead, scoring Snieder on a first inning RBI single.
But the Hoosiers bounced right back, and Dillon Dooney brought Micah Johnson home in the top of the second to knot things at 1-1. Dooney finished with three hits on the night.
For Northwestern, Wise, Snieder and senior catcher Geoff Rowan each knocked in runs in the game’s early frames, and the Wildcats cruised on behind Brooke’s seven strikeouts. The senior pitcher improved to 2-6 and lowered his season ERA to an impressive 2.66.
Saturday’s efforts did not quite fare as well, as the ‘Cats fell 5-2. Freshman Brandon Magallones struggled with control issues the entire afternoon, allotting five free passes while striking out four in five innings of work. For IU, it was Micah Johnson again, who finished with three hits and a pair of RBI.
Sunday’s rubber game was a thriller, with Indiana squeezing by 2-1. The Hoosiers were on the board early behind freshman Will Nolden’s two RBI single in the second. Earlier in the inning, the ‘Cats had a chance to get out unscathed, but a passed third strike on Hoosier Michael Basil extended Indiana’s chances.
Northwestern’s bats were baffled by Indiana’s right-hander Chad Martin, but things heated up in the bottom of the ninth. Trailing 2-0, junior Colby Everett was hit by a pitch, and with one out, Geoff Rowan singled to bring the tying runs on base. Hamilton Wise then dribbled a single down the first base line, but Luke Dauch, pinch-running for Everett, was gunned out at the plate on a close call. Nick Linne delivered an RBI single to left-center, but with two outs, pinch hitter Patrick Miller grounded out to second, ending the game, and subsequently, the Wildcats’ Big Ten campaign.
“We tried to take the series...end the Big Ten season on a high note...but we played well today. The ending was a little unfortunate, coming down to a close play at the plate like that,” said Wise after the game.
“They’re a scrappy team,” Snieder said when asked about his opponents. “It’s not necessarily an overpowering lineup, but they get it done.” The senior shares the team lead in home runs and is a former All-Big Ten Second Teamer. “It’s a shame to see [Dauch tagged out at home], but that’s baseball, that’s the way it goes.”
The Wildcats will conclude their 2012 season with four consecutive home games. Notre Dame visits Rocky Miller Park on Tuesday, and then the ‘Cats host Saint Louis in a three game series from Thursday to Saturday.