Box Score
ST. PAUL (May 6, 2008) – The Northwestern College baseball team’s season ended on an unexpected note on Tuesday, as the Eagles lost a nine inning single game to Martin Luther, 9-4. Rain drenched the players throughout most of the game, but the show went on as the upcoming conference tournament’s picture needed to become clearer.
After scoring a run in their first at-bats, Martin Luther added four more in the top of the third inning, bolstered by a Tyler Morgan two-run home run over the left field fence. NWC committed two crucial errors in the inning, giving up two more runs before the Knights owned a 5-0 lead.
Martin Luther scored one run in each of the fourth and fifth innings before the Eagles finally got on the board in the bottom of the fifth. Tyler Sage (Duncanville, Tex./Olivia Christian) capped off a string of three straight singles, driving in Spenser Labatt (Wayzata, Minn./Orono).
After MLC scored two more runs in the top of the sixth, Northwestern answered back with two of their own in the bottom half of the inning. David Kleiner (Lakeville, Minn./Bethany Academy) crossed the plate on an error by the shortstop while Mike Sharp (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove) scored on a Nick Manion (Evansville, Wis./Evansville) RBI single.
Manion recorded another RBI on a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning, but Northwestern couldn’t produce any more offense, yielding the 9-4 victory to Martin Luther.
Sam Overlien (Baraboo, Wis./Royal) got the nod to start the game from the mound for the Eagles. Overlien pitche four and a one-third innings, giving up five earned runs on eight hits. Zach Holsman (Hill City, Minn./Hill City) followed for three and two-thirds innings, yielding two more runs on five hits. Senior Jeff Amann (Beach Park, Ill./Zion-Benton) wrapped up his collegiate career after striking out two in the ninth and final inning.
Following the loss, Northwestern’s season comes to an end at 11-24 (8-11 UMAC).