Northwestern delivered big in its first of two midweek matchups this week with an 11-6 win over Bradley.
After being swept by Michigan, including a one-hit performance as a team in Sunday’s 2-1 loss, the Wildcats (15-21-1, 5-13) bounced back as they started the week on a positive note.
Jackson Freeman, Ryan Kuckerak and Jack Lausch all hit home runs, while Logan de Groot continued his strong play as of late with three hits.
The game was initially set to start at 3:30 p.m. CT, but first pitch was thrown
at 3:57 p.m. CT. Lighting in the area caused the game to be pushed back a bit, but luckily not too far back that it forced the game to be postponed or cancelled.
James Whitaker got the start at pitcher for Northwestern, and apart from allowing three runs in the second inning, pitched a solid four innings. The freshman continued his strong play and is becoming a name that could be called more often for the ‘Cats.
After the ‘Cats took a 2-0 lead, Bradley fought back with a three-run second inning to take an early lead. Northwestern responded strongly though with a six-run second inning to take a lead it never lost. Even with the Braves scoring sporadically the rest of the way, it wasn’t enough for them to come back.
In the bottom of the first, Freeman hit a two-run home run, the first of three on the day for Northwestern. Kucherak followed suit with a three-run blast in the bottom of the second — part of a six-run inning for the Wildcats. Lausch homered later on in the sixth inning as a part of his three-hit day.
Joey Cirelli took the mound to start for Bradley, throwing 109 pitches while allowing 11 runs and 12 hits through six innings. While he did settle in after ceding nine runs in the first three innings, the damage was too much for Bradley to overcome.
After Whitaker was subbed out, Dominic DeLoreto pitched 1.1 innings, allowing two hits and one earned run, but not before he stranded three runners in the top of the fifth. In the sixth, DeLoreto was subbed out for Alex Grant after he loaded the bases, in which Grant was able to leave two runners stranded. The sophomore was able to go the rest of the way for NU, allowing just one run in 3.2 innings pitched and securing the win.
The ‘Cats will face a quick turnaround for their next contest Wednesday, when they welcome St. Thomas to Evanston. First pitch is at 3:30 p.m. CT.
