Exciting Series Against the Cougars Results in Two Wins

Apr. 24, 2019, Sterling, Colo. — If you were not at Plainsmen Park for Northeastern's series against the Western Nebraska Cougars, you missed out. Northeastern battled back in the first game and won by a walk-off bunt by Andrew Paige II, and Cole Halpin was a bulldog on the mound and dominated game two for the sweep. 

Northeastern seized the victory in a dramatic walk-off fashion, thanks to a walk-off single at the end of the game to topple the Cougars. Ben Newton started things off for Northeastern by hitting a no-doubter home run for three runs in the first to give the Plainsmen the 3-1 lead. Western Nebraska was able to get numerous pitching changes and capitalized in the fourth to take the 6-4 lead. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Northeastern tied things up at six when they scored on a stolen base during Rosalio Mayo Ibarra's at-bat, resulting in a run when he singled. The Cougars regained the lead in the top of seven with a sacrifice fly. With the Plainsmen down 8-6, the men held their fate in their hands. Dylan Norsen would get on base, then Carter Allen driving him around to score. Allen would eventually make it to third after a stolen base and a balk by the pitcher. Ben Newton hit a double resulting in Allen scoring, tying the game 8-8. Newton advanced to third after a fielders choice from Sean Kelsen's bat. With two outs on the board, Andrew Paige II came to the plate and laid down a perfect bunt, scoring Allen for the 9-8 victory. 

Gunnar Foegen was the winning pitcher for Northeastern as he lasted one inning, allowing zero hits and zero runs while striking out one and walking zero. Juan Esparza, Andrew Ferrin, and Jordan Chappell all put in work in relief out of the bullpen, steering their team towards the victory. 

Game two balanced out their offensive first game with a great defensive stand led by Cole Halpin. The game stayed scoreless until the third inning when the Plainsmen broke the ice when Carter Allen singled giving them the 1-0 lead. The Cougars took the lead in the next inning off a home run giving them the 2-1 advantage. Not wanting the Cougars to have that lead for long, Northeastern hunkered down and regained the lead from the bat of Allen and a walk. Halpin and his defensive front kept the Cougars at bay and won the game 3-2. Halpin received the win without anyone coming in to relieve him with the offense racking up numerous hits led by Jaxon Rosencranz, Carter Allen, and Dylan Norsen. 

Northeastern will play this weekend against Colorado State University- Club on Friday in Fort Collins, Colo., then hosting them at Plainsmen Park for a doubleheader on Saturday.