Recap: @NCBearsBaseball Grabs Series Opener Against Chicago State

Friday, April 27

Chicago, Ill.

5 pm

University of Northern Colorado

23-19, 6-10

Chicago State University

7-32, 2-14

Northern Colorado

Chicago State

4/27/2018 10:37:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Austin Miller Drives in Four Runs on Three Hits to Help the Team

By: By: Charlie Snelson

CHICAGO, Ill. - Northern Colorado baseball put runs on the scoreboard in each of the first six innings and the Bears defeated Chicago State 11-7 on the road Friday afternoon at Cougar Stadium. Chicago State made a late push to get the game back within striking distance but the Bears pitching staff did just enough to hold the lead in the first game of a three game series in Chicago.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Bears started the top of the first inning with a run. Austin Miller was hit by a pitch to lead off the game. Dean Lawson followed with a single through the left side of the infield and Matt Burkart hit into a fielder's choice to put runners at the corners. After Jack Pauley walked to load the bases, Cole Maltese was hit by a pitch, scoring Miller and giving the Bears a 1-0 advantage.

Northern Colorado added more runs to their lead in the innings that followed. In the second, the Bears scored two. Austin Miller singled to score Brett Minnick and Dean Lawson scored Tyler Yamaguchi from third base on a sacrifice fly.

The Bears scored three in the top of the third inning. The rally began when Brett Minnick drew a one-out walk. Tyler Yamaguchi reached on a single and Austin Miller slammed a home run to right field to put the Bears ahead 6-0.

The Chicago State bats were still silent as the fourth inning began and the Bears added two more runs to their lead. Payton Tapia led off the inning with a double to the gap in right centerfield. Then Alex Kiel singled and advanced to second on a throwing error, scoring Tapia. Kiel later scored on a balk called on Cougar relief pitcher, Grant Trower.

The Bears added more insurance with a pair of runs in the fifth and one in the sixth, bringing the score to 11-1. Bears starting pitcher Karver Pate had a solid outing on the mound. He worked 5.0 innings and allowed 1 earned run on 4 hits, struck out 3 and walked 2. The bullpen was less much less successful and the Cougars put four runs on the board in the bottom of the seventh. A throwing error and three wild pitches helped Chicago State advance runners into scoring position. Then Jacob Vanitvelt hit a two out double to score a run and extend the inning. Tyler Lowe later hit a single through the right side of the infield, scoring two more.

The Bears led 11-5 heading to the eighth inning. UNC reliever Austin Bergdahl struggled to get three outs and lasted just a third of an inning while giving up two runs. The Cougars first run was scored on a wild pitch. Later, Cody Fruend grounded out, also scoring a run to make it 11-7. Connor Leedholm pitched the ninth for Northern Colorado and faced just three hitters in a scoreless inning to preserve the win for the Bears.

Karver Pate (3-0) got the win for his pitching efforts. Dylan Cumming (1-8) took the loss for the Cougars. He lasted 1.2 innings and allowed 3 earned runs on 4 hits, walked two and struck out zero.

KEY CONTRIBUTION

The top of the Bears batting order was impressive in the game. Austin Miller went 3 for 5 with 4 RBI and a walk. Dean Lawson finished 2 for 5 with an RBI. Matt Burkart went 3 for 5 with a run scored and clean-up hitter Jack Pauley was 2 for 3 with 2 RBI, 2 BB, and a run scored.

WHAT'S AHEAD

The Bears play game two of their series against Chicago State on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. The final game is scheduled for Sunday at 11:00 a.m. Northern Colorado returns to Greeley for a series beginning on May 4.

To stay up to date on all things UNC baseball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Twitter at @NCBearsBaseball.