April 4, 2008

Box Score

EVANSTON, Ill. - Tony Vercelli came off the bench to hit a double and a home run, but it wasn't enough as Michigan State spoiled Northwestern's home opener by a final score of 12-6 Friday afternoon at Rocky Miller Park. Tommy Finn and Chris Lashmet each also had two hits for the Wildcats.

The Spartans improve to 10-12 overall and 2-3 in the Big Ten, while the Wildcats fall to 5-13 and 1-4.

A struggle with his control ended up costing NU starter Joe Muraski in the top of the third inning. The sophomore right-hander found himself in a bases-loaded situation with two outs after MSU loaded the sacks via two walks and a hit batter. Kyle Day started his big afternoon by hitting a two-run single to right and Justin Potes followed with a three-run homer to left to put the visitors up 5-0.

Michigan State's advantage grew to seven in the top of the fourth as Brandon Doherty had an RBI single and Day walked with the bases loaded, marking the end of Muraski's day.

Northwestern had a pair of baserunners in scoring position in the bottom of the third but was unable to score before pushing across a solo tally in the fourth as Jake Goebbert led off the inning with a single and eventually scored on a wild pitch.

The Wildcats would push across two more runs in the fifth to get back within 7-3. Goebbert contributed a run-scoring groundout and Lashmet had an RBI single. It looked as though NU might get more when Finn singled to left. Lashmet attempted to score from second on the play, but was called out on a bang-bang play at the plate.

A pair of fielding errors to open the top of the sixth cost Northwestern dearly. MSU had runners at second and third with one away when the Wildcats opted to intentionally walk Steve Gerstenberger to load the bases and try to set up a double play. However, the move didn't work out as Day connected for a grand slam to right to make it 11-3.

NU got one run back in its half of the sixth as Jake Owens walked with the bases loaded to force in a run. With only one out at the time, the 'Cats had a change to get closer but were unable to capitalize.

Vercelli, who had a pinch-hit double in the sixth, came up with a runner on in the seventh and deposited his first home run of the season over the fence in left to get Northwestern within 11-6.

Jonathan Purcell settled into a groove on the mound for the Wildcats after surrendering the grand slam to Day in the sixth. He retired 10 consecutive Spartan batters before Jonathan Roof broke up the string with a solo homer to left with two down in the top of the ninth to complete the game's scoring.

Northwestern stranded nine baserunners in the contest to five for Michigan State. Muraski (1-3) suffered the loss, allowing five hits, five walks and seven earned runs in 3.2 innings of work. Purcell gave up just three hits and one earned run in 5.1 inning of relief while striking out four.

Mike Monterey (1-2) worked the first six innings to get the win for Michigan State.

The teams resume their four-game series with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday.