Northern Kentucky University Athletics

Game 1 box score | Game 2 box score

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky University used a six-run outburst in the fourth inning to spark its 10-3 victory over Kentucky Wesleyan in the first game of a doubleheader on Sunday.

Kentucky Wesleyan avoided a sweep by pulling out a 6-3 win in the second game. It marked the second straight day the Panthers dropped the opener before salvaging a split by taking the nightcap.

NKU is 14-11 overall, 4-6 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Kentucky Wesleyan is 8-11 overall, 2-8 in the GLVC.

In the opener, NKU jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning as Brian Erie hit a two-run double. Kentucky Wesleyan rallied for three runs in the fourth to tie the score at 3-all, but the Norse countered by plating six runs in the bottom half of the inning to take a 9-3 lead.

Brett Cisper's two-run single highlighted the Norse's six-run fourth inning. Erie, Max Colaner and Bryan Rose also added run-scoring singles in the fourth.

NKU starter Blake Bagshaw (1-1) went five innings and collected the win. Bagshaw struck out two and allowed four hits. Tim Clark pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Bagshaw to close out the victory.

Erie and Cisper both finished with three RBIs. Rose, Zac Asman and Bradley Vanderglas all scored twice for the Norse. Colander was 3-for-3 and scored a run.

Kentucky Wesleyan took advantage of three NKU errors in the second game to gain a split. Cisper led the Norse offense with three hits, while Erie scored a pair of runs. Shannon McCormick added two doubles and an RBI for NKU.

NKU hits the road for a doubleheader at Bellarmine on Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for noon.

The Norse also travel to Evansville, Ind., for a four-game series against defending NCAA Division II national champion Southern Indiana. That series begins Friday night.