TUCSON, Ariz. – Despite a furious rally in the home half of the seventh inning the Norwich University baseball team could not catch Northeastern College, falling by a 5-4 score Thursday afternoon at the Kino Sports Complex. Manuel Garduno went all seven innings for the Plainsmen in picking up the complete game win, allowing four runs on seven hits while walking one.

NC got tremendous production from the bottom of its order, as Steven Ryan went 3-for-3 as the No. 9 hitter and Derek Neeper went 2-for-4 with two runs scored from the eight spot.

Jeremy Lawhon contributed a 3-for-4 effort and a run scored from his DH position. 

Down 5-0 entering the seventh, the Cadets rallied for four runs on five hits, highlighted by sophomore OF Dustin Shimkus' two-out two RBI single. Freshman INF Kyle Fitzsimmons was thrown out at third on the back end of the play, however, snuffing out the Norwich comeback.

Brad Hudson was steady on the mound for NU, allowing four runs and eight hits over five innings. Hudson notched two strikeouts and walked only one in taking the no decision.

Fitzsimmons and classmate Kyle Gidari had two hits apiece to lead the Norwich offense.

The Cadets return to the field on Friday to take on Calvin College in a doubleheader in their final action in Arizona. The games are set for 12 and 3 p.m. local time.

Norwich will practice in the morning on Saturday before heading back for Vermont.