MINNEAPOLIS (Interstat) — The Northwestern Wildcats rallied from a five-run deficit, scoring four times in the bottom of the eighth inning to defeat the Omaha Mavericks 9-6 in nonconference baseball Saturday at Siebert Field.

The game, which began in the afternoon and concluded in the evening, saw the Wildcats improve to 6-5 while the Mavericks fell to 4-9.

Omaha built an early lead against Northwestern starter Garrett Shearer, scoring once in the fourth inning on an RBI single by Cam Diggins. The Mavericks extended their advantage to 6-1 in the fifth, capitalizing on a two-run error by Wildcats shortstop Alex Ruiz that allowed an unearned run to score.

Northwestern began its comeback in the bottom of the fifth. Jack Lausch doubled and later scored on an RBI double by Owen McElfatrick. Nick Barron followed with another run-scoring double to cut the deficit to 6-3.

The Wildcats drew closer in the sixth when Lausch launched a two-run homer to right field, making it a one-run game.

Omaha responded in the top of the seventh. Jackson Trout doubled home Haiden Zipay, and pinch-hitter Sam Beck followed with an RBI double to plate Trout, restoring a three-run lead at 8-5.

Northwestern answered immediately in the bottom of the seventh. With two runners in scoring position, catcher Jay Slater delivered a two-run, ground-rule double to center the score at 8-7.

The most important part of the game came in the bottom of the eighth inning. With the score tied, Northwestern loaded the bases with one out against Omaha reliever Drew Iverson. A wild pitch allowed pinch-runner Will Mills to score the go-ahead run. McElfatrick then drove in another run with a fielder’s choice to provide critical insurance. The inning was kept from being更大的 by a double play, one of two the Wildcats hit into on the day.

Omaha managed a final run in the ninth on an RBI single by Cardel Dick that scored Trout, but Wildcats reliever Drew Dickson stranded the tying run at the plate to secure the win.

Trout and Dick led Omaha’s 11-hit attack, each collecting three hits and combining for three RBIs. For Northwestern, Lausch finished 2 for 4 with the two-run homer, while Barron and McElfatrick each drove in two runs.

Northwestern starter Shearer allowed one earned run over four innings. Omaha starter Tanner Foertsch was effective, pitching 4 1/3 scoreless innings with four strikeouts before the Wildcats rallied against the bullpen. Cole Kenyon provided a scoreless inning of relief for Omaha in the eighth.

The victory defied the pregame projection from Interstat, which gave Northwestern a 55.6% chance to win with a predicted final score of 5-4.

Northwestern is scheduled to play UNLV on Sunday in Minneapolis. Omaha will face Minnesota on Sunday.