Box Score

A three-run eighth inning allowed Northwestern to come from behind and top the Cougars in St. Paul this afternoon, 5-3.  The rally negated a fine afternoon by Lee Arvold, who took the loss despite seven strong innings.

Lack of clutch hitting complicated matters for UMM who left 11 runners on base, including runners at the corners in the top of the ninth.

The Cougars scored first in the second inning when junior Josh Ledin hit a solo home run down the left field line.

Tied at 1 in the sixth inning, UMM went back on top when sophomore Jordan Gegan singled home Ian Olson. 

The Eagles tied the game in the bottom of the sixth, but the Cougars went ahead again in the next half inning, ignited by leadoff hitter Nick Bacon.  Bacon singled and stole second.  First year Drew Lundquist then singled, advancing Bacon to third.  Shortstop Matt Peterson moved Bacon home with a sacrifice bunt.

Northwestern's rally in the eighth was not without controversy.  With runners on second and third, an Eagle hitter popped up a sacrifice bunt.  Arvold charged and made a diving catch; the Northwestern batter stopped halfway to first and turned toward the dugout.  But the home plate umpire ruled that Arvold short hopped the catch and the Eagle runner beat the throw.

The ruling extended the inning and Northwestern would take the lead on the next batter.

The loss drops UMM to 1-15 on the season and 0-5 in the UMAC.

"It's disappointing because we played very well," said head coach Mark Fohl after the game.  "Our defense was excellent and we hit the ball well.  We just needed a few clutch hits and couldn't do it.  Still, I thought we played a good game."

Bacon and Lundquist, the 1-2 hitters, combined for seven hits on the afternoon.

The Cougars play a doubleheader with Northwestern tomorrow afternoon.