FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Five Red Sox pitchers combined on a seven-inning no-hitter Friday afternoon in a 17-0 victory over Northeastern University. It was the first of a day-night doubleheader against Boston area college foes, with the nightcap to be played against Boston College.

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Only a walk by right-hander Scott Cassidy in the seventh inning prevented the Sox from having a combined perfect game. The exhibition did not count in Grapefruit League standings.

"They looked like they still enjoyed themselves," Sox manager Terry Francona said of Northeastern. "Their coaches do a good job. They try to get everybody in. They're battling, too. They've got a doubleheader tomorrow that means something."

Veteran knuckleballer Tim Wakefield got the Sox in a groove quickly, pitching two strong innings, striking out three.

John Halama also went two innings, while Jack Cressend, Jason Kershner and Cassidy each went an inning.

The Sox had plenty of offense, helped by a four-run second and a 12-run fifth. George Lombard went 2-for-4 with four RBIs. David McCarty scored three runs, drilled three hits and drove in two runs.