LINCOLN, Neb. -- Trailing by one run with the bases loaded and one out in the 9th inning, Northwestern recorded two straight outs as the Red Raiders held on for a 8-7 victory over Nebraska Wesleyan in game two of a GPAC baseball doubleheader on Saturday.  Northwestern also took the opening game 11-1 as they remain undefeated in conference play.

NWU (6-13, 2-2 GPAC) jumped ahead 5-1 in game two as they scored five runs in the bottom of the 1st inning.  Mark Korsakas had a two-run single, Jordan Watteyne provided an RBI double and James McKain walked with the bases loaded as the Prairie Wolves came out fast.

Northwestern then scored seven unanswered runs to quickly retake the lead.  The Red Raiders had five hits in the second inning to bring in five runs and take a 6-5 advantage.  In the 4th inning, Skyler Wheeler hit a towering home run over the left field fence to extend the lead to 8-5.

NWU slowly chipped away as they added two runs in the 6th inning.  Sam Ayars and Matt Orozco each drove in a run with a single to make the score 8-7.  On the mound, relief pitcher Brandon Holscher held down the Red Raiders not allowing a run in five innings of work.

In their final chance in the bottom of the 9th, NWU looked to mount a rally.  James McKain had a one-out single followed up by a walk from Connor Bool.  Sam Ayars then hit a bloop single to center field to load the bases with one out.  Justus Stock popped up to the second baseman bringing up NWU's top hitter Mark Korsakas.  Korsakas hit a high foul ball that was caught by the Northwestern pitcher near their dugout.

Mitch Peschon came in to record the save for the Red Raiders as they used five different pitchers.  The Red Raiders had 12 total hits, led by Sean Geelan and Grant Lang who each had three.

NWU outhit the Red Raiders with 13 total hits.  Sam Ayars led the way with three hits, while Matt Orozco, Justus Stocks, James McKain and Jordan Watteyne each had two hits.

Jordan Haas took the loss allowing eight earned runs and 11 hits in four innings of work.  Holscher was great in relief giving up just one hit in five innings.

Game one was close early but costly errors allowed the Red Raiders to have two bit innings as they won 11-1.  NWU finished with five errors and just four hits in the game. 

The Red Raiders led 3-0 in the 2nd inning.  NWU got their only run of the game in the bottom of the inning as Jordan Watteyne hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Korsakas.

Nolan Lott took the loss allowing 12 hits and nine runs (five earned) in 4 2/3 innings of work.  Sam Ayars had half of the Prairie Wolves hits going 2-3 at the plate with a walk.