Tucson, AZ (NSUWolves.com) [SAT] – The Northern State University baseball team took advantage of key opportunities but ultimately came up short against Winona State, 9-7, in the opening game of their four-game series. The Wolves recorded seven runs on nine hits throughout the game. However, a powerful late-game surge from WSU, which saw them score six runs after the fifth inning, put the victory out of reach for Northern State.
THE QUICK DETAILS
Final Score: NSU 7, WSU 9
Records: NSU 2-6 (NSIC 0-5), WSU 1-11 (1-0)
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Winona State was the first to score with one run in the top of the first
- Northern State responded in the second with a single by Jordan Hull that scored Drew Benson
- Dylan Soulek followed up with a single to right field that scored Hull to take the lead. On an error by the Warriors, Soulek scored to extend the lead by two runs
- Brennan Phillips closed out the second inning with a single to left field that scored Michael Benevides, putting the Wolves ahead 4-1
- The Warriors chipped away in the top of the third with a sacrifice fly that cut the lead in half
- WSU added four runs over the fourth and fifth innings to take the lead, 7-4
- In the bottom of the sixth, Nicholas Ochoa scored on a throwing error by the defense, followed by a single by Benevides that scored Soulek to trail by one
- The Warriors extended their lead by two runs in the top of the ninth
- On an error by WSU, Kyle Konechne scored in the bottom of the ninth to narrow the gap to two runs
- The Wolves tallied seven runs off nine hits with one error on the day
- Lance Behrens recorded the loss in 4.1 innings pitched with five strikeouts against 24 batters faced
NORTHERN STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Brennan Phillips: 2-for-4, 1 RB
- Drew Benson: 2-for-5, 1 double
- Nick Friedges: 1-for-2, 1 double, 1 walk
- Jordan Hull: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, 1 run, 1 stolen bas
- Lance Behrens: 4.1 innings pitched, 5 strikeouts
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Tucson, AZ (NSUWolves.com) [SUN] – The Northern State University baseball dropped both games to Winona State in NSIC action, losing 8-5 and 4-1. In game one, the Wolves scored five runs on 13 hits, highlighted by back-to-back home runs from Nicholas Ochoa and Michael Benevides in the second inning. Game two turned into a pitcher’s duel, with Braxton Kusler pitching 4.2 innings and recording seven strikeouts. On the day, NSU totaled six runs on 17 hits.
THE QUICK DETAILS
Game 1 Final Score: NSU 5, WSU 8
Game 2 Final Score: NSU 1, WSU 4
Records: NSU 2-8 (NSIC 0-7), WSU 5-1 (3-0)
HOW IT HAPPENED GAME 1
- Northern State was the first to score, with a sacrifice fly by Nick Fridges that brought home Dillon Castellanos in the first inning
- Winona State responded with one run in the top of the second to tie the game
- Nicholas Ochoa and Michael Benevides hit back-to-back solo home runs in the bottom of the second to give NSU a two-run lead
- The Warriors took the lead after two scoreless innings, with three runs in the fourth
- WSU extended their lead in the fifth and sixth innings with four more runs
- Castellanos hit a single up the middle that scored Benevides and Ochoa to cut the deficit to 8-5
- The Wolves recorded five runs off 13 hits with two errors
- Carson Zimmel took the loss, pitching 4.2 innings and recording one strikeout
NORTHERN STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Dillon Castellanos: 2-for-4, 2 RBIs, 1 run, 1 double
- Michael Benevides: 2-for-2, 2 runs, 1 RBI, 1 home run
- Nicholas Ochoa: 2-for-3, 2 runs, 1 RBI, 1 home run
- Casey Vining: 2-for-4, 1 double
HOW IT HAPPENED GAME 2
- After a scoreless first inning, Winona State recorded two runs in the top of the second to take the lead
- The Warriors extended their lead with two runs in the top of the fifth to go up by four
- Kyle Konechne put the Wolves on the board with a single through the right side, scoring Nicholas Ochoa
- Northern State tallied one run off five hits to close the game
- Braxton Kusler took the loss, pitching 4.2 innings with seven strikeouts against 23 batters faced
NORTHERN STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Kyle Konechne: 2-for-3, 1 RBI
- Brennan Phillips: 1-for-2, 1 walk
- Nicholas Ochoa: 1-for-3, 1 run
- Braxton Kusler: 4.2 innings pitched, 7 strikeouts
UP NEXT
Northern State closes out their four-game series against Winona State tomorrow, Monday, March 10. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. from Tucson, AZ, against the Warriors.
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