March 21, 2008

Box Score

BRADENTON, Fla. - Northern Iowa scored five times with two outs in the top of the fourth inning as it topped Northwestern 6-0 in the opening game of a doubleheader Friday afternoon.

The Wildcats (4-6), who entered the contest with a Big Ten-leading batting average of .341, managed just two hits Panthers' pitcher Nick Kirk. NU had collected at least 11 hits in eight of its previous nine games this season.

Jake Owens, who has now hit safely in all 10 games this season, and Jake Goebbert each had a hit for Northwestern.

In the decisive fourth inning, it appeared as through Wildcat starter Bo Schultz had worked his way through a scoreless frame. With a runner on second and two down, Brett Featherston grounded to Tommy Finn at short who appeared to retire the UNI first baseman. However, Featherston was ruled safe on the play.

The Panthers (9-8) took advantage of the break as Eddie Almonte had a two-run single and Cory Ege added a bases-clearing double.

Northern Iowa would add one more run in the fifth on an RBI single by Brandon Douglas.

Schultz (2-3) went all seven innings in taking the loss for the Wildcats, surrendering seven hits and six walks while striking out six. Kirk allowed just two hits and two walks to go along with seven strikeouts.

The teams were scheduled to begin the second game of their doubleheader at approximately 10:30 a.m. Central time.