Feb. 24, 2008

Box Score

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - An early five-run advantage wasn't enough for the Northwestern baseball team Sunday afternoon as Cal State Northridge rallied past the Wildcats for a 17-9 win in the finale of a three-game series.

Northwestern (2-1) captured the first two games, 13-7 Friday and 3-2 Saturday. Sunday's contest was shortened to seven innings.

The Wildcats got on the board in the top of the first as Aaron Newman led off the game with a single, stole second and then later scored on a two-out error on a ball hit by Mike Kalina.

NU tacked on four more runs in the third inning to stretch its advantage to 5-0. Following a leadoff double by Jake Goebbert, Kalina brought him home with an RBI single to left. Tommy Finn followed with a walk and two batters later, freshman Nate Roberts jacked his first collegiate home run.

The Matadors responded with three runs in their half of the third and two more in the fourth to tie the game against NU starter David Jensen.

Northwestern reclaimed its lead in the top of the sixth by putting a three spot on the board to go ahead 8-5. Chad Noble started the frame with a solo homer, the fourth of his career.

The Wildcats went on to load the bases with one away when a pitching change did little to cool off Kalina. The senior continued his torrid start to the season by ripping a two-run single to center. Kalina completed the opening weekend of play with a .500 batting average (7-14) and eight runs batted in.

Unfortunately for the 'Cats, the bullpen was unable to hold the lead. CSUN's first eight batters reached in the bottom of the sixth as the Matadors put 12 runs on the board to turn the three-run deficit into a nine-run lead.

Northwestern finished off the scoring in the top of the seventh as Rob Campbell and Newman collected back-to-back doubles.

The 'Cats finished with a 13-12 advantage in the hit column with Goebbert, Kalina, Newman and Jake Owens collecting two apiece.

The Wildcats return to action next weekend when they travel to Tampa, Fla., to play two games against Oklahoma State and one against host South Florida. NU's first game is scheduled against the Cowboys at 6 p.m. Central time Friday.