May 1, 2007
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Box Score
EVANSTON, Ill. - Marc Besteman broke a 4-4 deadlock with a sixth inning RBI single to propel Northern Illinois (23-18) to a one-run victory over Northwestern Tuesday afternoon at Rocky Miller Park. The Huskie bullpen held the Wildcats scoreless over the final four innings to preserve the win.
Scott Simon blasted a three-run home run over the right field scoreboard to put the Huskies ahead 3-0 in their initial at-bat. Simon's second round-tripper of the season, estimated at over 400 feet, scored Daniel Jewett and Jesse Seykora, who each singled earlier in the inning.
The Wildcats got on the board in the bottom of the second when Aaron Newman's infield single scored Geoff Dietz, who had reached on an error, to make it 3-1.
The Huskies regained a three-run advantage in the fourth. Brett Kellam led off the inning with a double, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Marc Besteman and scored on Daniel Jewett's sacrifice fly for a 4-1 lead.
In the fifth, Caleb Fields drew NU within 4-3 on his two-run home run to left field before Tommy Finn evened the game at four with a RBI single.
Besteman put NIU ahead 5-4 in the top of the sixth when he delivered a ringing single to center to score Jordin Hood.
Andy Deain tossed 2.2 hitless innings with four strikeouts out of the bullpen before Matt German recorded the final four outs for his ninth save of the year to preserve the win for starter Brandon Copp (4-2). Copp went 5.0 innings, scattering seven hits and three earned runs, while fanning five to for the victory.
Andrew Smith (0-3) took the loss in relief for the Wildcats (10-30).
Kellam and Seykora led the way with two hits each for NIU while Simon paced the offense with three RBI.
NIU continues its final midweek road swing of the season with a Wednesday afternoon doubleheader at Wisconsin-Milwaukee beginning at 2 p.m.
HUSKIE TRACKS ...
-Scott Simon's home run was the 20th of his career, moving him into sole possession of seventh place on the NIU career list.
-Matt German recorded his 22nd career save to move into a fifth-place tie on the MAC career list.
-Brett Kellam equaled his career-high with two hits, a feat achieved three times previously, the last time on Feb. 25 at Texas Tech.
-Brandon Copp improved to 4-0 in non-conference starts this season and is 6-0 against non-conference opposition in his career.
-NIU is 7-3 against state Division I schools and 38-18 against intrastate foes under Ed Mathey.
-Andy Deain tied his career-high with four strikeouts, matching his March 31 effort at Akron.
-The Huskies are 7-2 (.778) on Tuesdays, their best winning percentage of any day of the week this season.
-NIU has won six of its last seven road games against Illinois opposition.
-The Huskies have won three straight meetings against Northwestern and lead the all-time series 14-7.
