The University of Northwestern Eagles (0-3) lost to Houghton College (4-4) 7-3 on Friday afternoon. The Eagles opened up their eight game trip in Fort Pierce, Florida after a travel day on Thursday.

The Eagles took their first lead of the young season in the top of the first as Andrew Simonson (Hudson, Wis./East Ridge) and Sam Peterson (Aitkin, Minn./Aitkin) both reached via errors to have runners on the corners with one out. Carlton Lindow (Cannon Falls, Minn./Cannon Falls) drove in Simonson to give the Eagles the 1-0 lead, but Houghton scored four times in the bottom of the second to take the lead, which they never relinquished.

In the fourth, Sam Peterson (Aitkin, Minn./Aitkin) led off the inning with a single. He then stole second and Carlton Lindow (Cannon Falls, Minn./Cannon Falls) drew a walk to make it first and second with no outs. Peterson eventually scored when Bryce Crabb (Des Moines, Iowa/Grand View Christian) reached via an error to bring the Eagles within two.

The Eagles continued to climb back in the bottom of the seventh as Chad Wakabayashi (Waipahu, Hawaii/Hanalani) was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. He then advanced to second when Caleb Piersma (Pella, Iowa/Pella) grounded out and to third when Wyatt Morrell (Elk River, Minn./Home School) beat out an infield single. The Eagles capitalized on another Houghton error, on a failed pickoff attempt, allowing Wakabayashi to score. Houghton added a fifth run in the seventh and two more in the eighth to pull away.

The Eagles just had two hits on the day as Wyatt Morrell (Elk River, Minn./Home School) and Sam Peterson (Aitkin, Minn./Aitkin) were the sole Eagles to record a hit. Carlton Lindow (Cannon Falls, Minn./Cannon Falls) and Bryce Crabb (Des Moines, Iowa/Grand View Christian) both recorded RBIs to help to spur the offense.

Sam Ludzack (Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee) got the start on the mound and gave up four earned runs and struck out four over six innings of work to begin his season. Owen Boerema (Litchfield, Minn./Litchfield) made his collegiate debut on the bump and gave up one earned run in an inning and two-thirds, while striking out two. Andrew Simonson (Hudson, Wis./East Ridge) made his season debut as he recorded the final out of the eighth via the strikeout.

The Eagles continue their trip on Saturday against Immaculata University at 7:00 pm EST in Fort Pierce, FL. Follow Northwestern baseball online this season at www.unweagles.com or on Instagram at @unwbaseballmn.