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Northwestern College Athletics

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HOME OF NORTHWESTERN RED RAIDERS ATHLETICS
HONORING CHRIST THROUGH EXCELLENCE IN ATHLETICS
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Baseball vs. Briar Cliff - April 27, 2024
4
Northwestern NWC 0-1
5
Winner Friends (KS) FRIENDS 4-3
Northwestern NWC
0-1
4
Final
5
Friends (KS) FRIENDS
4-3
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 R H E
Northwestern NWC 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 4 9 0
Friends (KS) FRIENDS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 1 5 5 1

W: C. Baker (1-0) L: Sieperda, Aidan (0-1)

Game Recap: Baseball | | NWC Athletic Communications

Raiders Suffer Comeback Loss in Opener

Wichita, KS - Northwestern headed on the road to Friends University in Kansas for the baseball season opener where they would suffer a comeback loss in extra innings as the Falcons top the Raiders 5-4. 

Northwestern opened the scoring in the second inning when Grant Rychnovsky walked and later crossed home plate on a bases-loaded walk by Drew Dykstra, giving the team a 1-0 lead. Bryce Click's single earlier in the inning was instrumental in advancing Rychnovsky to third base, setting up the scoring opportunity. In the seventh inning, the Red Raiders extended the lead to 2-0. Brody Ayers, who was hit by a pitch, advanced to third on a passed ball and subsequently scored on Luke Wroblewski's sacrifice fly to center field. This run was the team's second of the game without recording a hit in that inning.

A pivotal moment occurred in the eighth inning as the Raiders added two more runs, increasing their score to 4-0. The inning was marked by Rychnovsky's single and a fielder's choice that resulted in two unearned runs scoring, thanks to a fielding error. This sequence provided them with a comfortable cushion heading into the later innings. Despite a four-run rally by the Falcons in the ninth inning, Northwestern managed to hold them there and take it into the tenth with the score tied at 4-4. However, Friends managed to score the winning run in the tenth inning, concluding the game with a final score of 5-4. The Raiders tallied nine hits and left eight runners on base throughout the game.

Drew Dykstra showed impressive control on the mound, pitching 7 2/3 innings with a WHIP of 0.28, allowing just one hit and no earned runs. Grant Rychnovsky made significant contributions at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Bryce Click also contributed offensively with two hits, including a double, and added a stolen base. Ranier Castillo was a defensive standout with five assists, showing his reliability at second base.

Game Notes
  • This would be the second year in a row the Raiders drop the season opener to the Falcons
  • Drew Dykstra pitched at least 7 innings and only allowed one hit for only the second time in his career
  • Sophomore Ranier Castillo earned his fifth game defensively with a perfect fielding percentage on at least 5 chances
  • Grant Rychnovsky's 3 hits would lead both teams on the day
Up Next: Northwestern continues their weekend in Wichita with a double-header against Friends on Saturday, February 8th at 12:00pm and 3:00pm.
Don't forget to follow Northwestern College Athletics on Facebook @nwcraiders, Twitter @nwcraiders, and Instagram @nwcraiders! #RaidersStandOut
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