NKU's Dave Middendorf scattered two hits and struck out 10 in a 10-1, complete-game victory over Ouachita Baptist on Saturday.
Game 1 box score |
Game 2 box score
ARKADELPHIA, Ark. –
Dave Middendorf struck out 10 batters and
Brad Clement drove in five runs as the Northern Kentucky University baseball team claimed a 10-1 victory over Ouachita Baptist in the opening game of a doubleheader sweep on Saturday.
The Norse, ranked No. 30 in the NCAA Division II national poll, won the nightcap, 6-4, to improve to 4-1 on the season.
Middendorf (1-0) got his first win of the season, throwing the seventh complete game of his college career, scattering two hits and surrendering just one unearned run.
NKU jumped out in front early, using an RBI-double by
Brett Cisper and a two-run triple by Clement to take a 3-0 lead before the Tigers (4-8) ever handled a bat. Cisper and Clement would combine to drive in three more runs in the third inning.
Middendorf went on cruise control from there, retiring 15 out of 16 consecutive batters through six innings, allowing just one base runner to advance past first base.
Clement and
Brian Erie added RBIs in a three-run ninth inning to pull away.
Clement finished the game 4-for-5 and a home run short of the cycle. Cisper and
Shannon McCormick each claimed three-hit games, while Erie was 2-for-5 on the day.
McCormick opened up the scoring in Game 2 as well, ripping a double down the left-field line to plate
Bryan Rose in the opening inning. Ouachita, however, responded with two runs in the bottom of the first to take a 2-1 lead.
NKU would level the score in the second inning on
Bradley Vanderglas' squeeze bunt to score Clement and reclaim the lead for good in the fourth on a
Randy Weinel RBI-single.
Cisper gave the Norse some insurance in the fifth with a two-run home run, his first of the season.
Justin Schultheiss (1-1) got his first win at NKU, giving up four runs on six hits and striking out two.
Andy Heston retired the final four batters in order to claim his first save.
The Norse and the Tigers wrap up their three-game series on Sunday with a 2 p.m. matinee start. Live stats and audio links will be available at nkunorse.com.
