Jason Cisper collected six hits during NKU's two wins Friday afternoon.
Game 1 box score |
Game 2 box score
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -
Jason Cisper and
Brian Erie each collected four hits as the Northern Kentucky University baseball team posted a 9-4 win against Bellarmine in the first game of a doubleheader Friday afternoon.
Cisper added two more hits in the nightcap as NKU wrapped up the sweep with a 4-2 victory. The Norse remained perfect (6-0) in the Great Lakes Valley Conference and improved to 15-5 overall. Bellarmine dropped to 9-14 overall, 2-3 in the GLVC.
In the opener, NKU starter
Dave Middendorf scattered nine hits in 7 2/3 innings on the mound and struck out 11 batters. The Norse offense exploded for five runs in the top of the seventh to turn a 3-2 lead into an 8-2 advantage.
Max Colaner provided the big hit in the five-run seventh with a two-run double. Cisper capped the inning by driving in a run with a bunt single.
Shannon McCormick went 3-for-4 in the opener for NKU, which took advantage of four Bellarmine errors to score three unearned runs.
NKU completed the sweep behind strong pitching and timely hitting.
Bryan Rose launched a two-run homer in the second inning to give the Norse a 2-0 lead. Cisper added a run-scoring single in the fourth as NKU took a 4-1 advantage.
Norse starter
Brandon Slusher went four innings to record the victory. NKU's
Kevin Jordan tossed 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, and
Chase Stewart picked up his fourth save of the season by getting the final two outs in the bottom of the seventh.
Jeff Bohlen went 3-for-3 and scored twice for the Norse, and Rose also scored a pair of runs.
NKU and Bellarmine conclude the four-game series Saturday with a noon doubleheader.
