EVANSTON, Ill. – The first four hitters in the Northwestern lineup combined for a big day at the plate, producing seven runs on 11 hits as the Wildcats defeated Purdue baseball 11-1 to even the crucial series in the Big Ten Tournament chase.
While the top of the lineup was producing runs, Michael Farinelli pitched his third complete game of the season for Northwestern (22-24, 8-12 B1G). Farinelli (5-5) faced only 32 batters while throwing 107 pitches. He surrendered just six singles, striking out seven.
The Wildcats built an early lead by scoring in the first, third and fifth innings thanks to the hitting display put on by Patrick Herrera, Anthony Calarco, Jay Beshears and Ethan O'Donnell. They all had multiple hits while combining for 11 hits and seven RBI. Calcarco and Beshears hit back-to-back home runs in the fifth inning. Calcarco connected for opposite-field, two-run shots to left in consecutive innings.
Batting in the 7-hole, Tommy D'Alise joined in on the power surge with another two-run blast in the seventh inning. All four home runs were hit to the opposite field.
Along with his 4-for-4 day at the plate, O'Donnell also made an impressive diving catch on the warning track in left center to rob Mike Bolton Jr. of an extra-base hit in the third inning.
Evan Albrecht's stolen base in the second inning was Purdue's 106th of the season, tying the team record set in 2000. Northwestern catcher JC Santini threw out Curtis Washington Jr. trying to steal second to end the top of the third and Albrecht trying to steal third to end the fifth. Washington was cut down trying to steal for the first time this season in 30 attempts.
Those caught stealings plus a double play helped NU starter Michael Farinelli face only nine batters across the third, fourth and fifth innings. Farinelli faced more than three batters in just two frames – the second and sixth. The Boilermakers did not send more than five batters to the plate in any frame.
Purdue (28-17, 8-10 B1G) loaded the bases with one out in the top of the sixth and broke up the shutout but was unable to produce the big inning it needed. Troy Viola registered his 40th RBI of the season with a groundout. NU shortstop Tony Livermore made a nice play deep in the hole to retire Paul Toetz for the final out with Bolton and Washington at second and third.
Viola made an excellent catch in the eighth inning when he scaled the fence in foul territory down the third base line to snare a foul pop up.
Cam Thompson was kept off base for the first time this season, snapping his on-base streak at 44 consecutive games. It ranks as the third longest on-base streak by a Boilermaker in the last 20 years.
The rubber game of the series Sunday has been moved up to a noon ET first pitch. The winner of Sunday's game will take the inside track on one of the final berths at the Big Ten Tournament entering the final week of the regular season.
While the top of the lineup was producing runs, Michael Farinelli pitched his third complete game of the season for Northwestern (22-24, 8-12 B1G). Farinelli (5-5) faced only 32 batters while throwing 107 pitches. He surrendered just six singles, striking out seven.
The Wildcats built an early lead by scoring in the first, third and fifth innings thanks to the hitting display put on by Patrick Herrera, Anthony Calarco, Jay Beshears and Ethan O'Donnell. They all had multiple hits while combining for 11 hits and seven RBI. Calcarco and Beshears hit back-to-back home runs in the fifth inning. Calcarco connected for opposite-field, two-run shots to left in consecutive innings.
Batting in the 7-hole, Tommy D'Alise joined in on the power surge with another two-run blast in the seventh inning. All four home runs were hit to the opposite field.
Along with his 4-for-4 day at the plate, O'Donnell also made an impressive diving catch on the warning track in left center to rob Mike Bolton Jr. of an extra-base hit in the third inning.
Evan Albrecht's stolen base in the second inning was Purdue's 106th of the season, tying the team record set in 2000. Northwestern catcher JC Santini threw out Curtis Washington Jr. trying to steal second to end the top of the third and Albrecht trying to steal third to end the fifth. Washington was cut down trying to steal for the first time this season in 30 attempts.
Those caught stealings plus a double play helped NU starter Michael Farinelli face only nine batters across the third, fourth and fifth innings. Farinelli faced more than three batters in just two frames – the second and sixth. The Boilermakers did not send more than five batters to the plate in any frame.
Purdue (28-17, 8-10 B1G) loaded the bases with one out in the top of the sixth and broke up the shutout but was unable to produce the big inning it needed. Troy Viola registered his 40th RBI of the season with a groundout. NU shortstop Tony Livermore made a nice play deep in the hole to retire Paul Toetz for the final out with Bolton and Washington at second and third.
Viola made an excellent catch in the eighth inning when he scaled the fence in foul territory down the third base line to snare a foul pop up.
Cam Thompson was kept off base for the first time this season, snapping his on-base streak at 44 consecutive games. It ranks as the third longest on-base streak by a Boilermaker in the last 20 years.
The rubber game of the series Sunday has been moved up to a noon ET first pitch. The winner of Sunday's game will take the inside track on one of the final berths at the Big Ten Tournament entering the final week of the regular season.