BOXSCORE: Houston Baptist

EDINBURG, Texas - Exacting revenge is usually a sweet thing and Friday the statement held true for the Northern Colorado baseball team as they rebounded for a 12-2 victory over Houston Baptist in the second day of the Division I Independent Championship after falling to the Huskies all four games in Houston earlier this season. With the win, the Bears improve to 18-33 on the season while HBU falls to 10-39.

Freshman left-hander Joe Willman (3-5) allowed just two runs on nine hits and walked just one batter, fanning three in seven innings of work. Junior right-hander Forbes Scott pitched a scoreless eighth, while junior lefty Eric Skufca threw a scoreless ninth. The Bears defense turned three double plays behind the pitchers.

Freshman Adam Hilker went 3-for-4, while senior Erik Hegstad had a 3-for-5 day at the plate. Freshman Casey Coy had a game-best three RBI and the Bears remained patient at the plate, drawing 10 walks on the afternoon.

"Willman had a good day for us," said Head Coach Kevin Smallcomb. "He constantly worked ahead of the hitters. We also had timely hitting from Kevin Sandberg, Erik Hegstad, and Casey Coy. We were a much better team today than when we played in Houston earlier this season."

Northern Colorado's 12 runs came on 14 hits and Houston Baptist tallied four errors, while the Huskies scored two runs on 10 hits and the Bears were errorless.

Sandberg continued to increase his career record in doubles (56), hitting one down the left field line in the first inning with two runners on via walks to give the Bears the early 1-0 lead. After the leadoff hitter singled for HBU, Willman forced a groundout double play and faced the minimum three batters in the frame.

In the top of the third inning, the Bears scored four runs on one hit. Mees and Sandberg started the inning with back-to-back walks and Hegstad was hit by a pitch to load the bases. With one out, Coy reached on a fielder's choice and advanced on an errant throw, scoring two runs. An error on a sharply hit ball by freshman Tony Crudo and Hilker singled to score another run. Willman again responded to the offense, retiring the Huskies in order in the third for the 5-0 tally.

Mees led off the fourth, this time doubling to left center. Sandberg was hit by a pitch and Hegstad singled to load the bases. Mees scored on a sacrifice fly to center by junior Seth Budde to extend the lead to 6-0.

The Huskies broke onto the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth with two runs on four hits. The Bears immediately answered. Hilker walked, Borzilieri was hit and Schenk walked to load the bases. With one out, Sandberg walked and Hegstad singled through the right side for three runs in the inning. Willman again pitched a 1-2-3 inning with his third strikeout of the contest.

With one out in the top of the seventh, Sandberg singled, Hegstad doubled and Buddle and Coy singled for two runs and a nine run lead, 11-2. In the top of the eighth, NC added one more run on a sacrifice fly by Mees, after Hilker and Jarod Berggren had back-to-back singles to start the inning for the final of 12-2.

The two teams play the first game on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. and the Bears meet UTPA in the tournament finale at 7:00 p.m.