March 12, 2013

Final Stats

MURRAY, Ky. - The Northern Illinois baseball team (2-13) fell to Murray State (7-9) in its first midweek game of the season, 7-1, Tuesday afternoon at Regan Field.

"This was probably our most disappointing loss of the season," said Head Coach Ed Mathey, "we lacked the focus to win this game today. We did not execute and we took our at bats onto the field with us. We have to refocus and work harder tomorrow if we want to bounce back and win. On the bright side though I did think some of relief pitchers threw well today. Justin Ruckman and Brody Justice pitched well when they were called upon late in the game.

“Give credit to Murray State, they played better than us and they deserved to win.”

The Huskies stranded seven runners on base in the game but were only able to bring home one run.

NIU got on the board in the seventh inning with the bases loaded as Micah McCulloch (Rochelle/Rochelle Township) walked to earn his third RBI of the year and make it a 6-1 game.

Following the walk, Northern Illinois was unable to take advantage of the bases loaded opportunity and stranded all three runners on base.

Justin Ruckman (Kankakee/Herscher) threw two innings in relief, allowing zero walks with one strikeout and one run. Brody Justice (Frisco, Texas/Paris JC) threw one inning and did not allow a run in his 17 pitch, 10 strike effort.

At the plate, Brian Sisler (DeKalb/DeKalb) and Landon Tenhagen (Burlington, Wis./Madison Area TC) each recorded a hit.

The Huskies will return to the field tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. to close their series with Murray State. Senior right hander Zach Badgley (McHenry/McHenry) will take the mound for Northern Illinois.