Pohlman Powers Wildcats in 7-6 Extra-Inning Win Over Purdue

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Brimmer's (pictured) two-out, two-RBI single in ninth extends game

Matt Brimmer hit a two-out, two-RBI single in the ninth inning, sending the game to extra innings.

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April 16, 2004

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EVANSTON, Ill. -- Senior Dan Pohlman obliterated a 3-2 pitch over the center field fence in the bottom of the 10th inning, giving NU a 7-6 come-from-behind victory over Purdue. NU scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, setting up Pohlman's heroics in extra frames as Julio Siberio earned his first collegiate victory.

Down 6-2 in the bottom of the ninth inning, Northwestern (14-14-1, 4-5 Big Ten) scored four runs to send the game to extra innings. Matt Brimmer's two-out, two-RBI single to center tied the game at 6-6, sending NU to its third extra-inning contest of the season. Pohlman led off the ninth inning with a sharp single to left field and rounded the bases on Jon Mikrut's two-run home run to straightaway center field. It was Mikrut's fourth round-tripper of the season.

After a Boilermaker pitching change, Mark Ori was hit by a pitch, and went to second on a one-out wild pitch. Following a fly out to deep center field, a costly Purdue error opened the door for the Wildcats. Josh Lieberman followed the misplayed groundball, and walked to load the bases. Brimmer followed with a line-drive single into center, scoring Ori and Fields.

Wildcat starter J.A. Happ pitched seven and one-third innings, before giving way to junior Chris Hayes in the top of the eighth inning. Happ gave up a double and single in the eighth inning, which gave Purdue a 3-2 lead. Happ did strike out 10 in the no-decision, throwing a season-high 133 pitches. Happ now has 75 strikeouts in 59.1 innings pitched.

Making his Big Ten-leading 20th appearance, Hayes got Happ out of trouble in the eighth, inducing a double play to end the inning. Hayes did, however, give up a three-run home run in the ninth inning, which extended Purdue's lead to 6-2.

After NU's ninth-inning heroics, Hayes surrendered a leadoff double in the 10th and was relieved by Siberio. Siberio stepped up, leaving the runner stranded at third base. A pop-up to the shortstop, a strikeout and an easy grounder to second ended the Purdue top half of the inning.

In 19.1 innings pitched this season, Julito (Siberio) has struck out 18 and walked only three with a 3.66 ERA.

Following Siberio's masterpiece in the top half of the 10th inning, Pohlman fouled off five pitches on a 3-2 count before connecting on his fifth homer of the season. Pohlman now has 21 RBI this season, 10 coming in conference play.

NU scored two runs in the bottom of the second inning when Ori laced a double to the left center field gap, scoring Mikrut from first. Mikrut reached on a single. Ori came around to score on a Fields' RBI-groundout.

Mikrut finished the game 3-for-4 with two RBI, as Brimmer was 2-for-5 (two RBI) and Pohlman ended the day 3-for-5.

NU and Purdue are next in action when they play a doubleheader at Rocky Miller Park in Evanston, Saturday afternoon. Game one is set for 1 p.m. (CDT).