April 4, 2006

Box Score vs Finlandia Game 1
Box Score vs Finlandia Game 2

Play by Play vs Finlandia Game 1
Play by Play vs Finlandia Game 2

The Northland College baseball team opened their home schedule in fine fashion Tuesday, getting solid all-around performances both offensively and defensively to down Finlandia 14-1 and 2-1 in their non-conference double header at LumberJack Field.

Northland (7-7-1) started strong in game one, retiring the Lions in order in the top of the first before scoring six runs in the bottom of the inning for a quick 6-0 lead.

Three doubles by junior D.J. Feil, sophomore Myles Buuck and junior Brandon Frechette paced the burst, allowing the Jacks to notch five hits during the frame.

Northland continued to roll in the second and third innings, scoring two runs in each to open up a commanding 10-0 lead after three.

The Lions managed to avoid a shut out in the sixth when Darryl Sage homered to left, making it a 10-1 contest.

But the Jacks sealed matters in the bottom of the sixth, scoring four more runs to provide the winning margin.

Sophomore Ryan Riley got the win on the mound, pitching the first six innings and striking out eight before junior Dan Ruud finished up for the Jacks.

In game two, the Jacks again got off to a fast start, scoring single runs in both the first and second innings to take a 2-0 lead.

Northland scored their first run when Feil walked and was doubled home by Riley. The Jacks second run scored thanks to Frechette's RBI ground out which scored junior Chris Panabaker with the bases loaded to make it 2-0.

The score remained 2-0 until the fifth when the Lions scored their only run off Northland starter Buuck.

But from there, Buuck close the door, finishing up a complete game win  with seven strike outs and just two walks.

Offensively, the Jacks were led by Feil, who went 3-for-3 in game one with an RBI while Riley went 2-for-3 with four RBIs in the opener. Buuck and Frechette each added two hits as well.

The Jacks return to action Sunday when they face UMAC rivals Bethany Lutheran for a double header in Mankato, Minnesota.