Northwestern went 5-2 in Tucson, Ari. over spring break to improve their record to 9-6 overall. The Red Raiders won their first four games on the trip including a win over RV-Jamestown.
NWC knocked off the Jimmies on their first day of the trip 9-4 behind Isaac Horigan's pitching and a Raider offense that scored nine runs on seven hits. Mitchell Kresnik paced the offense with two hits in the game. Horigan went five innings, allowed five hits, struck out seven, and allowed two runs. Raphael DeHoyos pitched the final two innings and allowed two runs on two hits.
In game two of the trip, Northwestern made a dramatic comeback from down 0-10 after the top of the second inning to defeat Dakota St. 26-16 in seven innings. The Raiders scored 12 runs in the bottom of the second and 13 in the fourth inning. NWC ended with 20 hits and was paced by Christian Stekl (4-4, 3 runs, 5 rbi). Michael Callahan and Austin Zylstra each picked up three hits as well. Alec Rickabaugh picked up his first collegiate win in relief throwing 2.2 innings and allowing two runs.
The Raiders used the ten run rule again in their third game, defeating Winnipeg 14-4 on Thursday. NWC picked up 18 hits and each starter in the lineup had at least one hit. Reed Smith, Matt Martin, Joe Done, and David Rowley each had three hits for the Raider attack. Martin picked up a homerun and Done finished with a team best four RBI. Tanner Ortlund notched his first win of the season, going six innings and allowing four runs on six hits. He had eight strikeouts and did not walk a batter.
Northwestern played a doubleheader on Saturday, taking on Dakota State in game one and Waldorf in game two. The Raiders knocked off DSU 16-3 in game one, picking up 15 hits. Alec Rickabaugh made his first start of the season and collected his second win of the year, going six innings and allowing three runs. Rickabaugh had seven strikeouts and didn't walk a batter. Zach Rosson pitched a scoreless seventh, striking out the side. AJ Nitzschke led the team with three hits and four RBI. Reed Smith scored three runs. 12 different Raiders had a hit in the game.
In the nightcap Northwestern fell victim to the comeback as Waldorf scored six in the eighth inning to knock off NWC 10-5. NWC picked up eight hits, led by Smith and Casey Guthmiller with two a piece. DeHoyos started and went six for NWC. He allowed four runs on eight hits and had two walks and six strikeouts. Joe Done took the loss giving up two runs.
In the sixth game of the trip Northwestern faced the 13-2 Mayville St. Comets. NWC won game one 9-1 behind Isaac Horigan. Horigan earned his second win of the week by throwing a complete game four hitter. He allowed one run and walked two with five strikeouts. The Raider offense had 12 hits and was led by Smith, Callahan, and Dustin Gaither, who all had two hits in the game.
In the final game, Northwestern got behind early and couldn't recover as they fell 12-3 to Mayville St. NWC managed eight hits in the game including a three run triple by Nitzschke in the seventh inning. Colin Pennings took the loss for NWC.
For the week Northwestern hit 0.386. Reed Smith led the team with a 0.522 average and 11 runs scored. Austin Zylstra (0.500), Mitchell Kresnik (0.444), Joe Done (0.429), Casey Guthmiller (0.421), AJ Nitzschke (0.407) also were north of 0.400 for the Red Raiders. Nitzschke led the team with 12 RBI, four doubles, and two triples. The offense averaged 11.7 runs for the trip.
On the mound, Horigan led the team with 12 innings pitched, 12 strikeouts, a 1.50 ERA, and tied with Alec Rickabaugh with two wins. Tanner Ortlund picked up the other win on the trip. The Raider pitching staff compiled a 7.56 ERA on the trip. Zach Rosson had a 3.00 ERA in three innings and Rickabaugh had a 3.12 ERA in 8.2 innings.
The Red Raiders will be back in action on Friday and Saturday in Omaha, playing a four game set with Bellevue University at Westgate Park. First pitch is scheduled for 2pm on Friday and 1pm on Saturday.
