By Jake SimpsonThe Daily Northwestern
For the first time in a month, the Wildcats gave as good as they got in a Big Ten series.
Displaying a resiliency that had been lacking in previous weekends, Northwestern split four games with Minnesota in a series worthy of ESPN Classic.
No game was decided by more than two runs, with two of the contests coming down to the final at-bat.
“This was a weekend where a lot of things came together,” senior Caleb Fields said. “Everybody on the team from one to 28 was real happy to take a couple from Minnesota.”
The drama began Friday, when NU (13-32, 5-19 Big Ten) rallied for its first Big Ten win since April 15. Trailing 5-4 after five innings, the Cats exploded for five runs in the sixth.
Fields provided the big blow, lacing a two-out, two-run double to give NU a 9-5 lead. The senior finished the game 4 for 5 with three RBIs.
To protect the lead, NU coach Paul Stevens called to the Cats’ new bullpen ace: senior Ryan Myers. The three-year starter made the most of the rare relief appearance, holding the Golden Gophers (33-10, 14-5) to two runs in three innings to finish off the 9-7 victory.
