The Kokomo Post Sports - Game of the Week: Northwestern VS Western Baseball (Photo Gallery)
Rain and dark clouds loomed overhead as players and fans wondered whether the annual rivalry game between Western and Northwestern would be delayed. But around 5:30 p.m. ET, both teams returned to the field, and Western’s players removed the tarps from the pitcher’s mound and home plate. The game was on.
From the first pitch, it was clear the matchup would be a pitcher’s duel — and Western delivered. Backed by a dominant outing from Ashton Castillo and strong relief from Gavin Denton, the Panthers claimed a 3–1 win over the Tigers.
Castillo set the tone early. He allowed one run in the top of the first but struck out three Northwestern batters. The right-hander was in control throughout, finishing with 5 1/3 innings pitched, three hits, one run, and nine strikeouts.
Northwestern’s Landen Begley started strong as well, allowing just one run in the first inning. He kept the Panthers in check through the third, but ran into trouble in the fourth. Begley lasted four innings, giving up two hits, three runs, four walks and striking out three.
The Tigers broke through in the top of the third when Hayden Cook capitalized on an error by Braydon Miller to score the game’s first run.
Momentum shifted in the bottom of the fourth. With the game tied 1–1, Begley walked three straight batters, allowing Ryan Rodman to score. Moments later, Miles Rudy drove in two more runs with a sharp single to give Western a 3–1 lead.
Begley opened the fifth by walking one and striking out another before Northwestern head coach Ryan Ward turned to sophomore Ayden Giles out of the bullpen. Giles was solid in relief, throwing two scoreless innings, allowing no hits and striking out two.
Western’s bullpen matched that efficiency. Denton took over for Castillo in the sixth and slammed the door. The lefty tossed 1 2/3 innings, gave up just one hit, allowed no runs, and struck out three.
Northwestern struggled to find any late offensive rhythm, as Western’s pitching staff shut them down inning by inning.
Western entered the rivalry game as the favorite, but knew it would take a complete effort to top a determined Northwestern squad. With timely hitting, solid defense and outstanding pitching from start to finish, the Panthers delivered exactly what they needed.
