ST. PAUL, Minn.- The University of Northwestern Baseball team finished up their three game series with Minnesota-Morris by playing a doubleheader on Monday afternoon. History was made at Reynolds field on the chilly afternoon, as Bryce Crabb (Des Moines, Iowa/Grand View Christian) threw the first no-hitter on the mound for UNW since 2008. The Eagles would split the doubleheader and win the series.
Game One
Bryce Crabb (Des Moines, Iowa/Grand View Christian) took the mound in game one for the Eagles and turned in one of the best pitching performances in program history. Crabb was extremely efficient as he continued to pour in first pitch strikes and work ahead in the count. The contact Crabb gave up was extremely weak, and there were very few hard hit ball against the junior.
Crabb did not give up a hit, and did not walk anybody in the contest. The only two baserunners the Cougars mustered up against the righthander were off of Eagle errors in the field. Crabb also showcased his swing and miss stuff by picking up nine strikeouts in the game. After the game, Crabb said that his fastball and slider were working for him, but he was really excited about his splitter. This was the first time Crabb mixed the splitter into his game plan and it was extremely effective. The no-hitter ends a 14 year drought for the Eagle's program.
On the offensive side, the Eagles gave Crabb plenty of run support. Sam Peterson (Aitkin, Minn./Aitkin) hit a ball that was misplayed by the third baseman and Crabb (yes, the same Crabb that was throwing a gem on the mound) was able to score the first run of the game in the third inning. Trey Boushee (Fosston, Minn./Fosston) would then come up with the bases loaded and deliver a single up the middle that scored Sam Peterson (Aitkin, Minn./Aitkin) and Keegan Vercoe (Queen Creek, Ariz./Poston Butte).
In the fifth inning, Boushee would continue his impressive performance with another run scoring base hit, this time scoring Sam Peterson (Aitkin, Minn./Aitkin). Aaron Severson (Columbia Heights, Minn./Columbia Heights) would then score on a wild pitch in the fifth inning, and would score on another wild pitch in the seventh inning, and the Eagles would win 6-0.
Trey Boushee (Fosston, Minn./Fosston) led the Eagles with three hits, and Guerin Szafraniec (Brighton, Colo./Brighton) and Sam Peterson (Aitkin, Minn./Aitkin) would each chip in two hits of their own in the winning effort.
Game Two
The Eagles entered the second game of the doubleheader attempting to sweep the Cougars after winning game one of the series yesterday and game two earlier in the day. The series finale was a dramatic contest that came all the way down to the wire and went into extra innings.
The Eagles were in control for the majority of the game thanks to another dominant starting pitching performance. Sam Ludzack (Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee) followed up Crabb's gem with one of his own. Ludzack gave up a run in the second inning, and then was nearly flawless the rest of the game. Ludzack went eight innings, only gave up five hits, one walk, and one run.
The Eagles took a lead in the first inning off of an Aaron Severson (Columbia Heights, Minn./Columbia Heights) sacrifice fly when Payton Christenson (St. Croix Falls, Wis./St. Croix Falls) came home to score. The Cougars would answer back in the second inning and tie the game at 1-1.
In the fourth inning, with two strikes and two outs, Ben Spores (Arlington, Wash./Arlington) showcased a great piece of hitting, taking a ball the other way to right field. The single scored Trey Boushee (Fosston, Minn./Fosston) and the Eagles had a 2-1 lead that would last a long time.
The game was defined by pitching and defense as each team played a very good game in the field and runs were hard to come by. The 2-1 score held up all the way until the eighth inning when Aaron Severson (Columbia Heights, Minn./Columbia Heights) extended the lead. The sophomore turned on a ball and sent it over the left field fence for his second homerun of the season. The Eagles took a 3-1 lead into the ninth inning.
From the top of the ninth to the end of the game, the Cougars controlled the contest. It all started when the Cougars woke up in the top half of the ninth. Thanks to some walks, wild pitches, and a clutch single up the middle from Owen Dylong the Cougars rallied to the game at three in the ninth.
In the bottom of the ninth, the Eagles had a chance to walk it off but were not able to pick up the one big hit they needed. The Eagles loaded the bases with Cramer Hamilton (Apple Valley, Calif./Excelsior) on third, Keegan Vercoe (Queen Creek, Ariz./Poston Butte) on second, and Sam Peterson (Aitkin, Minn./Aitkin) on first but they were left stranded and we entered extra innings tied at three.
In the 10th inning, the Cougars rode the momentum and put together an offensive ambush. The inning started with a leadoff double, followed by two singles and another double and the Cougars scored three runs in the 10th inning to take a 6-3 lead.
Ben Spores (Arlington, Wash./Arlington) would single in the 10th inning for the Eagles, but it would not be enough as the side would be retired and the Eagles would lose the series finale.
Up Next
The Eagles will continue UMAC play as they face off with North Central in a conference game tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 PM.