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Baseball news
Northwestern goes 2-2 in final GPAC weekend
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Apr 28, 2007
Briar Cliff and Northwestern squared off on Friday, April 27th in Orange City, with the Raiders needing a sweep to stay alive in the GPAC title chase. Northwestern couldn't manage the sweep winning game one (1-0) and losing game two (3-2).
In game one, Northwestern scored in the bottom half of the first inning and junior pitcher Mihai Burlea (9-0) shut out the Chargers giving Northwestern the win they needed to have a chance for the GPAC title. Jake Jansen hit a two-out double in the first and Codie Zeutenhorst hit a two-out RBI single scoring Jansen from second. The Red Raiders would only manage one more hit in game one off of Briar Cliff starter Ryan Gorsett. Gorsett's outstanding pitching performance was overshadowed by the gem Burlea turned in. Burlea threw all seven innings, allowed only two hits, walked three, and struck out four Chargers. Jansen, Zeutenhorst, and Matt Gray each had one hit for Northwestern, who improved to 13-6 in GPAC play and 30-11 overall.
In game two, Briar Cliff took advantage of Northwestern starter Dusty Meyn's wildness scoring twice in the second inning. Meyn (5-4) walked and hit a batter in second inning and allowed two singles spotting the Chargers a 2-0 lead. Northwestern cut the lead in half in the fifth inning when Malone was hit by a pitch, moved to second on a fielder's choice, and scored on a Jake Jansen single. Briar Cliff would add another run in the seventh inning extending the lead to 3-1. The Raiders would not die easily, however, as Malone and Heitritter both reached base to start the home half of the seventh inning. Jake Jansen hit a screaming line drive to right center that Charger right fielder Louis Beare caught, saving two runs for the Chargers and getting the most important first out of the inning. Codie Zeutenhorst added a sac fly to score Malone making the score 3-2, Northwestern's final batter struck out to end the threat. Northwestern is now 30-12 overall and 13-7 in GPAC play.
Northwestern and Dordt faced each other for the third and fourth time in three days in a GPAC doubleheader on Saturday, April 28th. Northwestern won game one 11-0 but stumbled in game two 4-1.
In Saturday's game one, Northwestern jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first following three walks and two hits by the Raiders. Northwestern added three runs in the second, fourth, and sixth innings making the score 11-0. Starter Jake Koerselman (7-1) faced two batters over the minimum throwing six strong innings and allowing only three hits, he also struck out five Defenders. Northwestern had a total of 13 hits in game one, three by Jake Jansen, two by Michael Janssen and Justin Lane, and one by Austin Malone, Joe Heitritter, Codie Zeutenhorst, Curtis Bomgaars, Brad Payne, and Matt Gray. Nick Jones scored three runs and Justin Lane drove home three Raiders. Northwestern improves to 31-12 overall and 14-7 in the GPAC.
In game two, Northwestern again scored first, scoring a run in the second inning when Justin Lane doubled home Michael Janssen. That was the only run Northwestern could bring home off Defender starter Nate Daane, who allowed six hits in seven innings. Northwestern starter Joe Gray (4-6) allowed four runs, four hits, walked five, and struck out four batters. Austin Malone, Codie Zeutenhorst, Curtis Bomgaars, Lane, and Matt Gray each had hits for Northwestern, who fell to 31-13 overall and 14-8 in the GPAC.
Up next for Northwestern is the GPAC tournament in Hastings, Nebr, May 3-5. Up first for Northwestern is the Morningside Mustangs of Sioux City, Iowa. They will square off at noon on Thursday, May 3rd at Smith Complex in Hastings.
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