ST. PAUL, Minn. – The University of Northwestern welcomed Bethany Lutheran to Reynolds Field for an Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) doubleheader Tuesday morning. The Eagles scored a crucial run in the eighth inning to secure a 6-5 game one win. Following six scoreless innings in game two, the Vikings put together a productive seventh to eventually seal the 5-2 win.
With the split, the Eagles move to 13-9 overall, 2-2 in the UMAC. Bethany Lutheran moves to 9-12 on the year, 3-1 in conference play.
Game 1: Northwestern 6, Bethany Lutheran 5
The Vikings were first to score, but UNW didn't wait long to take the lead -- adding two in the bottom of the second when
Sam Peterson (Aitkin, Minn./Aitkin) connected on a single up the middle. Northwestern was at it again in the bottom of the third, this time scoring three runs on three hits and one BLC error.
Aaron Krahn (Roseau, Minn./Roseau) walked to lead off the productive inning and was followed by base hits from
Carlton Lindow (Cannon Falls, Minn./Cannon Falls) and
Philip Wall (Juneau, Alaska/IDEA). Wall drove in the first run, while
Andrew Simonson (Hudson, Wis./East Ridge) and
Bradley Spencer (Papillion, Neb./Papillion South) each tacked on an RBI.
The 5-2 lead was short lived as Bethany Lutheran was able to tie it up in the top of the fifth.
Wyatt Morrell (Elk River, Minn./Home School) walked in the bottom of the eighth and scored on a BLC fielding error to give Northwestern the 6-5 edge.
Philip Wall (Juneau, Alaska/IDEA) led the Eagles at the plate, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.
Guerin Szafraniec (Brighton, Colo./Brighton) and
Eric Peterson (Coon Valley, Wis./Westby) had two hits apiece in the win.
Quinton Lindow (Cannon Falls, Minn./Cannon Falls) got the nod, throwing five complete before
Chad Wakabayashi (Waipahu, Hawaii/Hanalani) made the relief appearance. Lindow allowed eight hits and three earned runs. He struck out five. Wakabayashi was credited with the win as the Eagles tacked on the go-ahead run in the eighth. He pitched three innings and allowed just one hit.
Bradley Spencer (Papillion, Neb./Papillion South) earned his fifth save of the season after throwing a scoreless ninth inning.
Game 2: Bethany Lutheran 5, Northwestern 2
The Eagles were held to just four hits in Tuesday's second game as both teams were scoreless through the first six innings of action. The Vikings made the most of four Northwestern defensive errors and produced a four-run seventh inning to take the definitive lead. Northwestern added one run in the seventh and eighth innings, but it was too little too late.
Sam Peterson (Aitkin, Minn./Aitkin) recorded two hits in the game, while
Eric Peterson (Coon Valley, Wis./Westby) and
Wyatt Morrell (Elk River, Minn./Home School) added one.
Philip Wall (Juneau, Alaska/IDEA) started on the mound, throwing seven complete before earning his first loss of the year. Wall now sits at 3-1 after allowing eight hits and three earned runs. He struck out five.
Payton Brown (Elk River, Minn./PACT Charter) relieved Wall and recorded an inning of work before
Ryan Flanigan (River Falls, Wis./River Falls) closed out the day. Flanigan allowed one hit and no runs.
Northwestern will return to action on Saturday, April 13 when they welcome St. Scholastica to Reynolds Field. First pitch of the doubleheader is slated for 1:30 p.m.
To stay up to date with UNW baseball and all schedule changes this season, please visit www.unweagles.com.
