Northwestern picked up it's first win of the season in the season opener versus Mount Mercy College in the Metrodome on Saturday night, winnig 4-2. The Red Raiders got strong pitching from Mihai Burlea, Trevor Kuiper, and Joe Grady and timely hitting by freshman Mike Zoellner.
Northwestern got on the board first, Brett Westra scoring from first on a Zoellner triple in the second inning. Zoellner came home on a double play ball, but Northwestern had the lead 2-0. Burlea, last season's GPAC Pitcher-of-the-Year, pitched like he was in mid-season form, giving up two hits, one run, one walk, and striking out six in three innings of work. Burlea handed the ball to lefty junior Kuiper and Kuiper also pitched as if he was in mid-season form, allowing three hits, 1 run, and striking out three in three innings.
With Northwestern leading 2-1 in the sixth, Joe Heitritter and Grant Wall started the inning off with singles and Codie Zeutenhorst added a flyball to right-center allowing both runners to move up setting up Zoellner with two runners in scoring position. Zoellner did not disappoint, lacing a one out single driving in both Heitritter and Wall. Now leading 4-1, the Raiders handed the ball to Joe Grady to complete the save and secure the victory. Grady struck out two Mustangs and faced four hitters while collecting his first save this season and the fourth of his career.
Northwestern outhit Mt. Mercy six to five, Zoellner and Heitritter each had two hits, Grant Wall and Brad Payne also added hits for the Raiders. Northwestern hurlers struck out 11 Mustang batters and had only one walk.
Game two for Northwestern and Mount Mercy was cut short after five innings due to the Metrodome time limit. Mt. Mercy was leading 8-4 when the game was called off. Mike Zoellner, making his first start of the season, pitched the first three innings for Northwestern, and allowed four hits, four runs, two earned runs, walked two, and struck out two. Drew Nonnemacher, making his first collegiate appearance, followed Zoellner and pitched one inning, allowed one hit, four runs, zero earned runs, walked one, and struck out one. Brad Payne pitched the final inning for Northwestern striking out one batter.
Offensively, Northwestern trailed 4-0 heading into the bottom of the third, when Grant Wall singled home Matt Gray pulling NWC within three. The top of the fourth saw Northwestern give up four runs on one hit, one walk, one hit batsman, a fielder's choice, and one error widening the lead to 8-1. Codie Zeutenhorst led off the bottom of the fourth with a single, Zoellner singled sending Brett Westra the third, Curtis Bomgaars popped out to short, Justin Boersma hit a double play ball with first and third but the Mustang pitcher elected to go after Westra leaving runners at first and second. Matt Gray walked in front of Austin Malone and Malone hit a two out double down the left field line scoring three putting the score at 8-4. Brad Payne pitched a quick fifth inning but Northwestern couldn't manage anything in the bottom half and the game was called because of time. Northwestern outhit Mt. Mercy six to five again but allowed six unearned runs in the loss.
Northwestern fell to 1-1 overall and will head to Kansas City, Mo. next Saturday to face off with Avila Unviersity, ranked #23 in the NAIA.
2008 Media Guide
