Brad Clement (2) is congratulated after his game-winning hit.
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ST. LOUIS – Northern Kentucky University's
Brad Clement found a perfect way to finish off a 4-for-4 performance at the plate Friday during the bottom of the 10th inning against Missouri S&T.
Clement's single drove in
Brett Cisper from third base to give NKU a 5-4 walk-off victory in the second round of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament. The Norse, who have won 14 of their past 15 games, improved to 33-18 and will meet Drury at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in Sauget, Ill.
If NKU defeats Drury, the Norse will advance to the championship round on Sunday. Southern Indiana meets Quincy in the other half of the GLVC bracket on Saturday.
On Friday, NKU rallied from behind three times to tie the game. Missouri S&T held leads of 1-0, 3-1 and finally, 4-3 in the eighth inning. A sacrifice fly by
Bryan Rose, however, drove in
Zac Asman with the tying run. Clement also played a role in that run, having singled earlier in the inning to advance Asman to third.
In the bottom of the 10th, Cisper started the winning rally with a single, and he advanced to second on a passed ball. Asman sacrificed Cisper to third, and Clement followed with his fourth hit of the game to give NKU the victory.
Brent Wethington, who made an outstanding defensive play in the top of the 10th to keep the game tied, pitched an inning of relief and notched the victory. NKU starter
Andy Heston went nine innings and struck out six batters.
Missouri S&T, which dropped to 29-16, finished with a 13-9 advantage in hits.
The GLVC Tournament continues through Sunday, and the winner will receive an automatic berth in the NCAA Division II Tournament. NKU is aiming for its sixth GLVC Tournament championship.
