ST. PAUL, Minn. – In
Nick Drinken's (Randolph, Minn./Randolph) final game on the Reynolds Field mound, the graduate starting pitcher put on a legendary clinic in helping the University of Northwestern Baseball team defeat Crown College, 4-1, and clinch a spot in next weekend's UMAC Baseball Tournament. Coming into Friday, the winner of the Northwestern-Crown game was guaranteed a berth in the postseason. Behind a hot first inning at the plate and a complete-game masterclass by Drinken, the Eagles claimed that spot. Before getting back on the bus, the Polars also learned their playoff spot was secure, following North Central's win at Minnesota Morris.
After a 1-2-3 first inning for Drinken, UNW's bats gave him all the support he wound up needing. With two outs in the bottom of the inning,
Gabriel Kennedy (DeForest, Wis./DeForest) smacked an RBI single to center field to take a 1-0 lead. After advancing to second on the throw home, Kennedy (and
Christian Raya (Moline, Ill./Moline)) came around to score when
Beau Rabey (Prior Lake, Minn./Prior Lake) sliced a double down the right field line to make it 3-0.
Crown got two runners on with one out in the top of the second, but a 4-6-3 double play ended the threat. The Polars were able to scratch a run across in the top of the fourth inning on a solo home run to left field, but the Eagles were able to get the run back in the bottom half.
Ben Hixon (Yorkville, Ill./Yorkville) and
Alex Klein (Olathe, Kans./Olathe Northwest) hit back-to-back singles to lead off the inning, then a fielder's choice loaded the bases.
Benji Bruce (Andover, Minn./Maranatha Christian) hit a sacrifice fly to deep center field to plate Hixon and regain the three-run lead at 4-1.
Crown led off the top of the fifth inning with a double, but
Alex Klein (Olathe, Kans./Olathe Northwest) threw a dart to second base to pick off the runner just one pitch later. After another Crown double with two outs in the inning, Drinken rung up the Polars' leadoff hitter. The visitors were able to get a runner to third base in the top of the seventh, but a flyout stranded him there. Northwestern looked poised to add some insurance runs in the bottom half after a Raya double and a Kennedy walk, but a flyout to center left them on base as well. Neither team was able to muster a hit in the eighth or ninth inning despite neither going to its bullpen, resulting in a 4-1 win for UNW to ensure its season will continue past this weekend.
Drinken was the headliner in his final home start in purple, scattering just four hits and one run in his complete game, and striking out four. At the plate, Kennedy went 2-3 with an RBI and Bruce went 1-3 with an RBI. Raya and Rabey each doubled, with the latter's driving in two runs.
Now tied for second place in the UMAC standings with matching 14-5 records, the Eagles and Polars will battle for playoff seeding on Saturday with a doubleheader, beginning at 1:00 PM. Be sure to get to Reynolds Field early, as Northwestern will be honoring its 11 graduating seniors prior to game one of the day.
