Unearned Runs Sink Wildcats Against Spartans

2/15/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

Feb. 15, 2015

Box Score


	Michigan State 3, Northwestern 2 Surprise Stadium • Surprise, Ariz. \| Box Score

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Northwestern scattered only three hits to Michigan State Sunday, but the Spartans pushed across three unearned runs to knock off the Wildcats in a nonconference game 3-2.

Northwestern's Matt Portland got the nod on the mound and the junior submitted a strong outing in his 2015 debut. The Victor, N.Y., native allowed only two hits over six innings on the mound while striking out four Spartans without walking anyone Sunday. Unfortunately Michigan State pushed across three unearned runs against him which ended up as the difference in the game.

Michigan State first scored in the bottom of the fourth inning. Cam Gibson singled to open the frame before he stole second base and took third on a throwing error by NU's Zach Jones. Brandon Hughes then drove Gibson in on a groundout to Grant Peikert at shortstop before Portland retired the next two hitters in succession.

The Spartans doubled their lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. With two outs in the frame, Anthony Cheky reached on another NU throwing error. Cheky stole second base and got to third, and eventually scored on a pair of costly wild pitches. Portland fanned Chad Roskelly looking to end the fifth.

Northwestern got a run back in the top half of the sixth. Reid Hunter picked up his second hit of the game with two away in the inning and he moved up 90 feet on a wild pitch from MSU's Anthony Misewicz. Catcher Joe Hoscheit reached on another error and Hunter scored on the play to make it 2-1 in favor of Michigan State.

Portland eased through the bottom of the sixth with three quick outs and the offense got another opportunity in the top of the seventh against relief pitcher Walter Borkovich. Walker Moses, Cody Stevens and Jack Mitchell all singled to load the bases for Northwestern with one out. Peikert, NU's leadoff batter, drove in Moses with a fielder's choice, knotting the score at two runs apiece.

Blaise Salter singled off of Portland for Michigan State's first hit since the bottom of the fourth to open up MSU's half of the seventh. Salter was lifted for pinch runner Chase Toth and Portland was relieved by Pete Hofman on the mound. Toth took second on a wild pitch and third on a passed ball before Mark Weist drove in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly to right field.

The Wildcats went down in order in the top of the eighth inning before Jake Stolley threw his third scoreless inning of the weekend in the bottom half. Stevens tried to start a two-out rally in the top of the ninth with a base hit back up the middle, but MSU's closer Jeff Kinley caught him leaning too far off the bag at first and picked him off to end the game.

Hunter and Stevens led the offense with two hits Sunday. The pair led the 'Cats with four hits apiece at the Surprise College Baseball Classic. Stevens also added the team's only stolen base over the three-game stint.

Northwestern will travel to the Lone Star State next weekend for the Irish Alamo Invitational. The Wildcats open the tournament against Villanova at 11 a.m. CT on Friday, Feb. 20 before facing Incarnate Word the same day at 6 p.m. Chicago's Big Ten Team will play Notre Dame on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 1 p.m. The championship and consolation games will be held at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22.

••••••

Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, subscribe to the NU Sports Express e-newsletter and sign up to receive promotional text alerts for the latest news, schedule updates and video and to interact with NU. For more information on following specific Northwestern teams online, visit our Social Media page!