EVANSTON, Ill. — Owen McElfatrick broke a 4-4 tie in explosive fashion on Sunday, crushing a three-run home run to boost the Northwestern Wildcats past the Illinois Fighting Illini to a 7-4 win and a series victory at Miller Park.
Junior Luke Benneche got the ‘Cats started with a sold six-inning start, allowing four runs on seven hits and no walks. Ben Grable (1-0) picked up the victory out of the bullpen for Northwestern (5-21, 3-3), his first win of the season. The right-hander went three shutout innings, giving up only one hit and one walk while striking out two.
Senior Stephen Hrustich also made a big offensive impact for the Wildcats, going 2-for-3 in the ballgame with a home run, a walk and three RBI. Senior Cooper Foard also chipped in, going 3-for-4 for Northwestern with two doubles.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Fighting Illini got the first lead of the game in the first inning, using three singles to plate one and take a 1-0 advantage. The lead didn’t last long, however, as Hrustich put the ‘Cats on top with a three-run home run in the home half of the inning.
The Fighting Illini battle back to tie the ballgame at three in the fourth before the Wildcats came back to reclaim their advantage in the fifth inning. Northwestern scored once on an RBI single off the bat of senior Griffin Arnone, which brought the score to 4-3 in favor of the Wildcats.
Illinois tied it again in the seventh, scoring one run to even the tally at four all. The Wildcats broke the tie for good in the eighth with McElfatrick’s home run, taking home a final score of 7-4 in the ballgame. The win clinched the ‘Cats their first series victory of the season and brought them to .500 in conference play.
GAME NOTES
» Hrustich led the Wildcats at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI. The hits extended his streak to 12 games, which is a career high. It was his second three-RBI game of the season.
» Foard had three base hits in the game for Northwestern, his second three-hit game of the year. It was his second game of the season with two doubles.
» Luke Benneche pitched a season-high six frames and was one run shy of a quality start.
» Ben Grable is the fifth Wildcat pitcher to pick up a win this season.
» The Wildcats out-hit the Fighting…
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