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Northern Illinois Rallies From Seven-Run Deficit for Thrilling 12-11 Win Over Western Michigan
May 15, 2008
DeKALB, Ill. - Northern Illinois scored eight times over the final two innings to rally from a seven-run deficit and claim a 12-11 victory over Western Michigan Thursday afternoon at Ralph McKinzie Field. The Huskies (25-23, 15-9) entered the bottom of the eighth down by seven and struck for five runs in the inning before a three-run ninth, capped by a wild pitch, scored the winning run. With its fourth consecutive victory, Northern Illinois' hopes for the MAC West Division title remain alive. Eastern Michigan, who won its game Friday at Central Michigan, is still 1.5 games up on the Huskies with two to play. Down 11-4 in the eighth, Northern Illinois scored five times in the frame to get back within a pair of runs. A fielder's choice throwing error allowed Matt Behren (Elmwood Park, Ill./Holy Cross) and Danny Reed (Lindstrom, Minn./North Iowa Area CC) for the first two runs of the inning. With runners at the corners, Bobby Stevens (Chicago, Ill./Guerin Prep) blasted a deep three-run home run down the left field line to make the score 11-9. Trailing by a pair of runs in the bottom of the ninth, Joe Etcheverry (Bakersfield, Calif./Centennial) drew a leadoff walk before Behren doubled down the right field line. With runners at second and third, Reed delivered a double to right center that plated both Huskies and knotted the game at 11. Reed moved to third on a fly ball to center by Dave Reynolds (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg) and Marvin Sanchez (Chicago, Ill./Clemente Academy) was intentionally walked. The first offering to Anthony Maziur (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest) sailed high and to the backstop allowing Reed to cross the plate for the winning run. "No question, it was an exciting win for us today," said head coach Ed Mathey. "I give our hitters all the credit. We got a lot of runs late and our hitters did a nice job on a hitters' day." Western Michigan opened the scoring with five runs in its first at bat, keyed by a three-run home run from Joe Sheets. The Huskies took advantage of three Bronco errors in the bottom of the first to score three runs. Jeff Thomas (Loves Park, Ill./Harlem) singled to lead off the frame and scored two batters later when a muffed fly ball to left allowed Jordin Hood (Hawthorn Woods, Ill./Lake Zurich) to reach third. After reaching on a walk, Behren was successful in stealing second and a throwing error by the catcher plated Hood from 90 feet away. Reynolds then singled home Behren to make it a 5-3 game. The teams traded home runs in the third and fourth innings. A solo home run by Matthew Abro and a two-run shot by Kevan Hess in the third extended the Bronco lead to five at 8-3. In the bottom of the frame, Justin Behm (Downers Grove, Ill./North) answered by belting a solo home run deep over the left-center field fence. Western Michigan connected on consecutive home runs in the fourth off the bats of Kyle Galbraith and Chris Lewis and added its final run of the game in the seventh on a RBI single by Derek Mosher. Reynolds (5-0) notched the win after two innings of perfect relief. Trevor Feeney (Channahon, Ill./Joliet Catholic) started and went 4.0 innings before giving way to Brad Allen (Geneva, Ill./Geneva), who tossed a career-long 3.0 innings and tied a career-high with three strikeouts. Stevens paced the Huskies three RBI and Behren led with three run scored. Four Huskies had two hits in the contest. Mosher (1-2) took the loss after entering the game in the ninth for the Broncos (28-20-1, 11-11). The Huskies and Broncos continue their series Friday at 3 p.m. in a game that can be heard locally on WLBK (1360-AM) and worldwide on NIUHuskies.com. Saturday's series finale starts at 1 p.m. and will include senior day and baseball alumni day festivities. NIU baseball alumni who will be in attendance are encouraged to check in at the welcome tent upon arrival. HUSKIE TRACKS -NIU-
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