Wildcats Stumble Late in Twinbill at Southeastern Louisiana

3/1/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

Feb. 28, 2015

Box Score


	Southeastern Louisiana 6, Northwestern 4 Southeastern Louisiana 4, Northwestern 3 Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field • Hammond, La. Box Score(Game 1) \|Box Score(Game 2)

HAMMOND, La. -- Northwestern held early leads in both games of a doubleheader Saturday, but the Wildcats were unable to seal the victory in both ballgames as they lost to Southeastern Louisiana by scores of 6-4 (game 1) and 4-3 (game 2).

Game 1:

Scott Heelan drove in the first run of the ballgame Saturday when brought home Kyle Ruchim, who led off the frame with a double. Heelan eventually scored to double the early advantage when Reid Hunter singled through the left side. The Wildcats eventually loaded the bases with two outs, but they were unable to add on past the two tallies.

Luke Dauch ignited the top of the fourth with a double down the left-field line and the senior advanced to third on a single from Ruchim. Dauch scored Northwestern's third run of the day on a double-play groundout.

Southeastern Louisiana got two runs back in the bottom of the fourth against NU's Reed Mason and two more in the bottom of the sixth to take a 4-3 lead. Northwestern's offense went back to work in the top of the eighth, however, to produce an equalizer with two outs. Dauch notched a base hit to left field with two away before Ruchim roped another two-bagger to left-center field to bring him home and even the score.

The Lions added two runs, one of which was unearned in the bottom of the eighth against reliever Joe Schindler. NU's offense was unable to retaliate in the top of the ninth and SLU secured its second-straight win in the series.

Game 2:

Northwestern got the aid of three Southeastern Louisiana errors in the first inning of the nightcap to take a 3-0 lead. Hunter and Heelan both scored unearned runs when Joe Hocheit cranked an RBI single to left field. After JR Reimer reached on the inning's third defensive miscue, Hoscheit scored himself to give the Wildcats the early three-run cushion.

Matt Portland mowed down the Lions through the first three innings before a two-out single cut into NU's lead with two out in the fourth. Southeastern Louisiana added another run in the bottom of the sixth to pull to within a run.

The Wildcats were trying to close out a one-run victory in the bottom of the ninth and the prospect was promising after Jake Stolley struck out the first two batters he faced in the frame. The third batter he faced in the final inning was hit by a pitch before a double put two runners in scoring position with two outs. The next man up delivered an RBI single to center field that brought both Lions home to complete the comeback and seal a 4-3 triumph in the series finale.

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