Wayne, Neb. – The Northern State University baseball team battled from behind in both contests versus Wayne State Saturday afternoon, notching a split. The Wolves won game one in the top of the seventh and recorded 15 hits and 14 runs scored in the two games.
THE QUICK DETAILS
Game 1 Final Score: NSU 8, WSC 5
Game 2 Final Score: NSU 6, WSC 10
Records: NSU 2-4, WSC 2-3
Game 1
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Northern tallied runs in the first, fourth, and seventh in the game one victory
- Isaiah Chevalier led off the contest with a walk and game around to score on an RBI groundout off the bat of Spencer Sarringar
- Wayne State quickly answered back, taking the lead in the bottom of the frame with four runs on two hits
- The two teams were scoreless through the second and third and the Wolves grabbed the lead in the fourth
- Reece Ragatz and Justin Hutter led off the inning with a hit-by-pitch and walk; and a bunt single by Austin Portner loaded the bases for Kai Brisk
- Brisk knocked a single to right scoring Ragatz, followed by an Alex Gauer single to center scoring Hutter
- Portner and Brisk scored the following two at-bats on a walk by Connor Burgess and a RBI groundout by Chevalier
- The Wildcats added a run in the fifth, however the Wolves were not done
- Hutter crushed a double to left center scoring Zach Lainer (pinch runner for Ragatz) and Ramon Vega Jr. belted a 2-run bomb to left, giving the Wolves an 8-5 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh
- Northern tallied eight runs on eight hits, with one error on defense
- Seth Brewer started on the bump for the Wolves, throwing 4.1 innings with four earned runs, five hits, and five strikeouts
- Mike Stubbs and Brian Baker entered in relief notching the win and a save
NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Alex Gauer: 2-for-3, 1 RBI
- Ramon Vega Jr.: 1-for-1, 1 run, 2 RBI, HR
- Justin Hutter: 1-for-2, 2 runs, 1 RBI, 2B
- Mike Stubbs: 2.0 IP, 1 strikeout, win
- Brian Baker: 0.2 IP, 1 strikeout, save
Game 2
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Wildcats were on the board in their first at-bats of the game with one run, and extended their lead with three runs in the third and one in the fourth
- Northern rallied back, tying the game at 5-all in the top of the seventh
- Spencer Sarringar drove a triple into the right center gap, plating Connor Burgess, Isaiah Chevalier, and Ben Carolin
- Reece Ragatz added a long ball to right center the following at-bat, scoring Sarringar as well and tying the game
- The Wildcats answered with two runs in the seventh and three in the eighth
- Sarringar started a 2-out rally in the top of the ninth with a single to center, followed by a Ragatz single down the left field line
- Justin Hutter stepped to the plate and scored Sarringar on a single to right center, however the Wolves were unable to keep the rally alive
- Northern notched six runs on seven hits with one error defensively
- Zach Hartford suffered the loss in first start of the season, giving up five earned runs in 3.1 innings of work with six strikeouts
NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
BERRY'S TAKE
"I was really proud of how our guys just kept battling after being down 4-1 after the first. We gave up way too many free bases but we made just enough pitches and plays to get it done.
Justin Hutter had a big two out double and Vega followed it up with his pinch hit home run."
"It was great to see the fight in our team in game two down 5-0. We had some big at bats by Sarringar and Ragatz to tie the game. I am looking forward to getting back to it tomorrow. I'm excited to see how we respond and putting all phases of the game together in one game."
UP NEXT
The Wolves and Wildcats will face off in the series rubber match tomorrow at 12 p.m. in Wayne. Live links will be posted on the schedule page at nsuwolves.com.
