Baseball Claims 16-11 Win Over No. 8 Minnesota State

DAVENPORT, FLA. – The Northwood University baseball team earned a 16-11 win over No. 8 Minnesota State Monday afternoon (March 7).

Both teams now stand at 5-4 overall on the season.

The high-scoring contest got off to a fast start in the opening inning, as both teams plated three runs in the first.  Both teams scored in the third, fourth and fifth innings of the game – NU scored three in the third, one in the fourth and four in the fifth. MSU scored one in the third, two in the fourth and one in the fifth to make the score 11-7 Northwood. After Minnesota State scored three in the sixth to cut the advantage to 11-10, both teams plated one run in the seventh to make the score 12-11. The key inning of the game proved to be the eighth, as Northwood scored four runs to open up a five-run advantage. The Timberwolves bullpen then held the Mavericks off the board in the final two innings of the game to earn the win.

Northwood finished the game with 19 hits, compared to Minnesota State with 15. The Timberwolves also drew three more walks than the Mavericks (7-4).

Seven different Timberwolves had at least two hits in the balanced Northwood offensive attack. Grant Bridgewater (Bay City, Mich./Western) went 4-5 with a double and three RBIs. Cody Kuzniczci (Madeira, Ohio/Northern Kentucky) had two hits, two runs scored and three RBIs. Nick Black (Chesterfield, Mich./Grand Rapids CC) and Daniel Pulver (Mt. Pleasant, Mich.) each had three hits, two runs and two RBIs. Connor Foley (Bay City, Mich./Western) totaled two hits, three runs and an RBI. Miles Hardy (Lake Orion, Mich.) had two hits, a double and a pair of runs scored. Ken Reeves (Midland, Mich.) picked up the win in relief, as the trio of Reeves, Lennon Gwizdala (Bay City, Mich./Central) and Matt Stojkov (Northville, Mich.) allowed one run over the final 3 2/3 innings of the game.

Northwood will take on St. Joseph's Tuesday afternoon (March 8). First pitch is set for 4 p.m.