The ‘Cats struggled to contain NIU’s explosive offense.
Northwestern (16-18, 7-8 B1G) could not overcome a monster offensive performance by Northern Illinois (13-22, 3-12 MAC) losing 27-11 at Miller Park on Tuesday. this loss marks the Wildcat’s third straight defeat.
The Huskies struck early, with a Logan Gregorio double down the right field line scoring Charlie Parcell in the top of the first. However, the ‘Cats were quick to respond in the bottom half of the inning. After NU’s Preston Knott grounded out, Owen McElfatrick homered to left field off a full count to tie the score 1-1.
Things started getting out of control in the second inning, however. Northwestern pitcher Amar Tsengeg gave up a walk, hit a batter, and allowed a base hit up the middle to lead off the inning before NIU’s CJ Cepicky mashed a grand slam to right center. Tsengeg was able to escape the inning without allowing any more runs, but the Huskies were firmly in control with a 5-1 lead.
NU was able to chip away at NIU’s lead in the bottom of the second. Jack Counsell hit a double to right center, and Knott slapped one to the same spot to score Counsell and make it a 5-2 ballgame.
NU’s pitching continued to unravel, allowing 11 total runs over the next two innings. Jack Grunkemeyer entered the game for Tsengeg in the top of the third and allowed nine consecutive batters to reach base before recording an out. The Huskies took full advantage by scoring seven runs, including three that came off a three-run shot by Gregorio. The following inning, Chad Readey took over for Grunkemeyer and gave NIU four free passes to add to its run total, and the team scored thrice more before in the inning. Even after Northwestern responded with three runs of its own, the ‘Cats faced a daunting 16-5 deficit after four innings.
After a quiet fifth inning, Northern Illinois once again erupted in the sixth with six more runs. After NU’s Carter Danz walked three consecutive batters, freshman Luke Burden took the mound and surrendered a pair of singles, allowing the runners on base to score. NIU added three more runs before heading back out onto the field, upping its run total to 22.
Despite the seemingly insurmountable deficit it faced, Northwestern continued to produce on offense. McElfatrick led off the bottom of the sixth with his second home run of the game, and a series of base hits and walks led to a five run inning for the ‘Cats to make it 22-10.
Despite signs of life from Northwestern’s bats, the pitching continued to struggle. NU gave up five more runs in the top of the seventh, four of which came from Cepicky’s second grand slam of the game. The ‘Cats added one more run in the bottom of the seventh, but it did not matter. Northwestern dropped the game via run rule by a final score of 27-11.
With the loss, Northwestern falls two games under the .500 mark. The ‘Cats will look to bounce back this weekend when they travel to Lincoln for a three-game series with Nebraska.