ST. PAUL, Minn. - After a 30-minute lightning delay pushed back first pitch, the University of Northwestern Baseball team took on Macalester College for the second time this season. With more storms looming on the horizon, a quick game was needed in order to finish, and both pitching staffs made sure to comply. UNW's
Christian Raya (Moline, Ill./Moline) threw eight brilliant innings of shutout baseball before Macalester was able to rally in the ninth and walk off with a 2-1 win to sweep the season series.
The Eagles struck first when
Jeremiah Holmes (West Covina, Calif./San Dimas) scored on a
Kason Pietruszewski (Warroad, Minn./Warroad) groundout in the top of the third inning, and they got runners in scoring position three more times, but were unable to capitalize. In the bottom of the ninth, the Scots were finally able to break through against Raya, tying the game with an RBI single before Northwestern made a pitching change. After another single and a walk,
Luke O'Rourke (Columbia Heights, Minn./Irondale) forced a lineout for out No. 2; but a walk-off, bases-loaded single won the game for the hosts, 2-1.
Jack Burns (Plainfield, Ill./Aurora Christian) and
AJ Kazel (Esko, Minn./Esko) each recorded two hits for UNW, and Pietruszewski drove in the lone run. Despite a phenomenal performance in which he struck out seven in 8.1 innings, Raya was credited with the loss on the mound.
The Eagles will face another MIAC opponent Wednesday at 5:00 PM when they host Hamline.
