ST. PAUL, Minn. – The University of Northwestern Baseball team struck first on Tuesday at Macalester College, but the Scots just struck more. After the Eagles jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead, Macalester answered with massive first inning at the plate and wound up running away with a 24-10 win over UNW.
Things looked bright for Northwestern in their half of the first inning.
Aaron Severson (Columbia Heights, Minn./Columbia Heights) led off the game with a double, and
Benji Bruce (Andover, Minn./Maranatha Christian) followed with a single. A groundout scored Severson, while a
Christian Raya (Moline, Ill./Moline) single brought Bruce home. After a
Gabriel Kennedy (DeForest, Wis./DeForest) single, Raya scored on a wild pitch. After the second out was recorded,
Ben Hixon (Yorkville, Ill./Yorkville) blasted a two-run home run to make it 5-0.
The Eagles' jubilation was short-lived; however, as Macalester plated 10 runs in the bottom of the first against two UNW pitchers. Northwestern didn't sulk, bouncing right back for more runs in the top of the second inning. Severson hit a one-out single, then scored when Bruce tripled to center field. An
AJ Kazel (Esko, Minn./Esko) double brought Bruce home to bring the Eagles within three at 10-7.
MAC added another run in the second inning and three more in the third to extend its lead to 14-7 before UNW scored one in the fourth after consecutive singles from Raya, Kennedy and
Beau Rabey (Prior Lake, Minn./Prior Lake). The Scots' offense exploded again in the fifth inning, tacking on nine more runs to put the game effectively out of reach at 23-8. Northwestern began subbing in its reserves in the bottom of the fifth and found a little spark at the plate in the process. With two outs, Kazel hit another double, then a hit batter and a walk loaded the bases.
Eli Reeves (White Bear Lake, Minn./White Bear Lake Area) drew a walk to bring Kazel home, then
Cannon Jackson (Mauldin, S.C./St. Joseph's Catholic) was hit by a pitch to score
Colton Toutant (Dodge, Wis./Homeschool). Macalester scored one more run in the sixth to reach the final score of 24-10.
Despite the lopsided loss, the Eagles' hitting numbers were impressive. Severson, Kennedy, Bruce, Kazel and Raya all recorded two hits, with the final three also logging an RBI apiece. Bligh, Rabey, Reeves and Jackson also tallied RBI, with Reeves and Jackson's serving as their first of the season.
Kaleb Dube (Minneapolis, Minn./Hope Academy) started the game on the mound for UNW and was credited with the loss.
Northwestern will be back at the friendly confines of Reynolds Field Wednesday for a 5:00 game against Bethel.
