MIDLAND, Mich. – The Purdue Northwest baseball team suffered a 9-7 setback to Northwood Sunday in the series finale at Gerace Stadium.
PNW (7-10, 1-7 GLIAC) battled back from a three-run deficit and tied the game 5-5 in the seventh on
Ray Hansen's RBI single. But, NU (13-4, 6-2 GLIAC) responded with four runs in the next half inning.
The Pride rallied again in the ninth and loaded the bases with no outs, but the Black & Gold could only push two more runs across.
Hansen (3-4, 2B), who was one of four players with three hits for the Pride, led the way after tying his career-high of four RBIs.
Jake Soules (3-5, 2B, RBI),
Anthony Agne (3-4, 2B, RBI) and
Alex Gasbarro (3-4) each logged three base knocks.
PNW outslugged Northwood 16-10 in hits, but the Pride would end up stranding 14 runners on base including go-ahead runs in each of the sixth, seventh and ninth frames.
The scoring started as the first four PNW batters reached in the top of the second. Agne and Soules both doubled to lead off the frame to give PNW an early 1-0 lead; however, the Pride couldn't capitalize on a potential big inning.
Another leadoff double from
Ray Hilbrich in the third led to the next scoring opportunity as Agne singled to put PNW ahead 2-0 after three.
Then, Northwood struck for a pair in the fourth and first baseman Connor Kin homered for the third time in the series to put the Timberwolves ahead 5-2 in the fifth.
In the sixth, the Pride got four consecutive hits to lead off the top half as Hansen's RBI double sliced the deficit to one, 5-4.
PNW starter
Jackson Lund went six innings, allowing five earned runs on six hits and six walks. Reliever
Andrew Farbak was charged with the loss. Pride pitchers walked a total of nine batters while only posting two strikeouts.
Northwood utilized a committee approach on the mound as reliever Hunter McShane earned the win and Jake Jekielek picked up the save.
NEXT UP
PNW will host Davenport next weekend at Dowling Park in a four-game series. Friday's Game 1 will start at 3 p.m. CDT.
