Baseball Splits Doubleheader Versus Minnesota Duluth

WINTER HAVEN, FLA. – The Northwood University baseball team wrapped up their spring trip with a doubleheader split against Minnesota-Duluth Saturday afternoon (March 14). The Timberwolves picked up a 7-5 win in game one before falling 7-3 in game two.

Northwood finishes the trip with a 6-8 record. Minnesota-Duluth stands at 3-1.

In game one, the Timberwolves got off to a fast start in the top of the first inning. Northwood plated five runs on six hits thanks to a balanced attack. Five different Timberwolves registered RBIs in the opening inning.  UMD responded with a big first inning of their own, scoring three runs. The Bulldogs then tied the game on a home run in the third inning. The scored remained 5-5 until the seventh and final inning when NU plated a pair. Justin Zyvon (Sterling Heights, Mich./Macomb CC) scored on an error, which was later followed by Tanner McCarn (Olivet, Mich./Kellogg) scoring on a Grant Bridgewater sac fly.

Seven different Timberwolves had one hit each to lead the Northwood offense. Bridgewater drove in two runs. Logan Meadors (Oxnard, Calif./Midland U.) overcame a slow start to pick up the win on the mound. He allowed five runs in seven innings, striking out seven. Meadors allowed one hit over the final four innings pitched.

Minnesota Duluth was the team that got off to the fast start in game two, scoring two in the first, two in the second and one in the third to lead 5-0. Northwood responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the third inning on a Travis Smith (Clare, Mich.) solo home run, but the Bulldogs came right back with a run in the fourth. UMD then made it 7-1 in the seventh before Northwood plated two in the bottom of the inning. Zyke Bailey (Taylor, Mich./H.S. Truman) had a solo homer before Ben Balgaard (Fenton, Mich./Howell) scored on a passed ball.

The Bulldogs had an 11-6 edge in hits in game two. Smith and Bailey each had two hits, a home run, a run scored and an RBI in the game.

Northwood will open GLIAC play next Saturday (March 21) at Ashland. Saturday's double header begins at 1 p.m.