ST. PAUL — Senior outfielder Keegan Vercoe hit a pair of two-run home runs as Northwestern held on for a 4-3 victory over Wisconsin-Superior in the Yellowjackets’ UMAC opener Friday, April 1, before 112 at Reynolds Field.
Vercoe’s second shot, to right center in the sixth inning, stood as the game-winner as Nick Drinken picked up the pitching win. Aaron Severson relieved him in the eighth inning and got the final six outs for the save for the Eagles (7-4 overall, 2-0 UMAC).
Ryan Castaneda had three hits, including two doubles, to lead the Yellowjackets (4-12, 0-1). Christian Garcia and Payton Steiner added two hits apiece as UWS outhit Northwestern 12-7 but stranded eight base runners.
The Yellowjackets pushed across a pair of runs in the eighth on RBIs by Castaneda and Garcia but the rally fizzled thanks to base-running miscues.
Ryan Rodriguez took the loss for UWS, allowing seven hits in eight innings, with six strikeouts and two walks.
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The same teams rematch in a UMAC doubleheader at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at Reynolds Field.
