Bottom of the Lineup Helps CSU To 9-3 Win At Northwestern State

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NATCHITOCHES, La. – Chicago State baseball scored nine unanswered runs in a 9-3 non-conference victory at Northwestern State on Friday (March 7) evening.
 
Trailing 1-0 after giving up a run in the bottom of the first, Chicago State took the lead for good with a three spot in the top of the second. However it was the middle innings where the Cougars did the most work. A single run in the fourth, two in both the fifth and sixth and then another run in the seventh was all the runs the Cougars needed. Junior starting pitcher Eric Hall (Oakville, ONT/Oakville Trafalgar) finished the game allowing three unearned runs on seven hits over 6.2 innings. He picks up the win and is now 1-0 on the year. Hall now has a team-leading 0.82 ERA.
 
"Eric has found a rhythm," Chicago State head coach Steve Joslyn said. "He's moving the ball well and right now he is hard to square up."

Hunter Duvic picked up the loss for Northwestern State. He is 0-2.
 
The six through nine spots of the Cougars lineup scored seven runs and recorded six hits. Chicago State earned hits in each of the first seven innings. Six different Cougars recorded multiple hits. Sophomore Julian Russell (Chicago, Ill./Gordon Tech) recorded three RBI and two doubles while scoring once.

"Julian drove the ball well today," Joslyn said. "As a team we were aggressive at the plate and had a good approach. It helps having a lineup with some guys with collegiate experience."

Senior Nathan Poff (Sellersburg, Ind./New Albany) scored twice, knocked in a pair of runs and recorded two hits. Junior Jordan Stroschein (Marion, Iowa/Linn-Mar) had three hits and an RBI.
 
The Cougars move to 5-6 on the young season. Northwestern State is now 6-6. The two clubs will play again on Saturday evening as the Cougars look to move to .500. Chicago State's five wins puts the Cougars halfway to last season's win total of 10.