Feb. 22, 2008

Box Score

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - A big nine-run third inning propelled the Northwestern baseball team to a season-opening 13-7 win at Cal State Northridge Friday afternoon. Senior Mike Kalina drove in four runs and finished a double shy of the cycle.

Sophomore Chad Noble also contributed three hits for the Wildcats.

NU got on the board first in the top of the second inning as Noble singled home Tommy Finn while Aaron Newman followed later with an RBI single of his own.

The Wildcats broke the game wide open in the following frame, collecting five hits and taking advantage of three walks. Following a lead-off double by Jake Goebbert, Kalina brought him home with a triple. Tony Vercelli contributed a run-scoring groundout before Jake Owens chased Matador starter Jimmy Jolicoeur with a two-run single to center.

Reliever Taylor Austin was unable to quiet the NU bats as Kalina, the second batter he faced, touched him for a three-run homer to extend the lead to 11-0.

CSUN got four run back against Northwestern starter Joe Muraski in the bottom of the third, highlighted by a three-run triple by Ryan Pineda to get the hosts back within seven.

The Matadors got another run back in the fourth, before the Wildcats answered the tally in their half of sixth. Freshman Chris Lashmet collected his first collegiate hit, driving home Kalina from second with a single up the middle.

Matt Havey relieved Muraski to start the seventh inning and allowed a pair of runs, but was able to shut down Cal State Northridge the rest of the way to earn a three-inning save.

Goebbert completed the game's scoring with a solo home run in the top of the ninth for Northwestern.

The Wildcats finished a 16-11 advantage in the hit column. Muraski got the win, scattering nine hits and five runs while striking out three in six innings of work.

Northwestern and CSUN will play the second game of their three-game series at 3 p.m. Central time Saturday.