March 29, 2008

Box Score

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Northwestern's top three batters in its lineup went a combined 11-for-11 with nine runs scored and nine runs batted in as the Wildcats routed Purdue 11-3 Saturday afternoon in the opening game of a doubleheader at Lambert Field. Jake Goebbert and Jake Owens each went 4-for-4, while Aaron Newman went 3-for-3. Goebbert tied a career high with six RBI.

Goebbert finished a double shy of the cycle, while Owens missed it by a home run. Newman and Owens scored four runs apiece.

The Wildcats (5-10, 1-1) jumped on Purdue starter Kyle Cook right away in the top of the first inning. Cook, who entered the contest having allowed just one run in 13.1 innings of work, was greeted by a lead-off single by Newman and an RBI triple down the left field line by Owens. Goebbert then followed with a fly ball to deep right field that Brandon Haveman completely lost, allowing Goebbert to race around to third base to put NU up 2-0.

Eric Jokisch was able to work out of a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the first by recording a strikeout of Drew Madia before Northwestern added to its lead in the second.

Tony Vercelli drew a leadoff walk and was at second with two down when Newman was able to single through the left side to plate the Wildcats' designated hitter. A single by Owens advanced Newman to third before another hit by Goebbert brought home Newman with NU's fourth run. Owens moved up to third on the play and later advanced home on a wild pitch to make it 5-0.

Purdue cut into the Wildcats' lead in the bottom of the third as it tallied a pair of runs. Ryne White brought home the first run with a run-scoring groundout, while Ben Wolgamot touched the plate following a wild pitch to get the Boilermakers within 5-2.

However, Northwestern responded in a big way in the top of the fourth inning with the usual suspects doing the damage against Purdue reliever Kevin Cahill. With one down, Jim Grieco and Newman drew back-to-back walks. Owens then brought home Grieco with an RBI single before Goebbert launched a tape-measure three-run blast over the wall in right to stretch the lead to 9-2.

The Boilermakers scratched across one run in the bottom of the fifth before NU tacked on two more in the top of the sixth to extend its advantage to 11-3. Remarkably, it was the top of the order leading the way. Newman led off the frame with a single and advanced to third on a double by Owens. Goebbert tied his career high with his sixth RBI of the game on a single to left. Owens would later come in to score on a groundout.

The offensive output was more than enough for Jokisch (2-1) who tossed all seven innings for his third complete game of the season. He scattered five hits while walking five and striking out five. Kyle Cook (2-1) took the loss for Purdue, as the Boilers' starter surrendered six hits and five runs in two innings.

The teams were scheduled to play the second game of the twinbill beginning at approximately 3 p.m. Central time.