Northern Kentucky University Athletics

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Postseason implications abound on Wednesday when the Northern Kentucky University baseball team hosts Southern Indiana for a non-conference doubleheader to continue its 16-game homestand. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.

The Norse close out the week by welcoming Great Lakes Valley Conference newcomer Maryville for a four-game league series this weekend.

All games can be heard on nkunorse.com.

Wednesday's doubleheader will be a matchup of nationally ranked programs, as NKU (29-11, 15-5 GLVC) returned to the NCAA Division II national poll at No. 29, while USI (30-8, 17-3 GLVC) enjoys a No. 22 ranking. While the games will be key for regional positioning, they will have no impact on the conference standings.

Last week, the Norse went 7-1, including claiming five wins against GLVC opposition. After dropping Game 1 of a doubleheader to Saint Joseph's, 9-7, on Monday, the Norse have rattled off seven straight victories, including an 8-5 win over Lincoln Memorial and a four-game sweep over Wisconsin-Parkside in a weekend conference series.

LAST TIME AGAINST SOUTHERN INDIANA: The Norse left the first round of the NCAA Midwest Regional in heartbreak, as a Tyler Choate walk-off home run led to a 4-3 victory for the Screaming Eagles. All told, USI took three games from NKU last season, including a non-conference doubleheader earlier in the season. NKU holds the slightest of edges, 41-39, in the all-time series.

DOUBLING UP: Jason Cisper continues to be one of the most dominant hitters in all of Division II baseball, equaling the Pat Eschan's single-season total for doubles at NKU with 22. Entering last week's play, Cisper led the nation in doubles per game (0.63) and was fourth in the country in total doubles. He was also eighth in batting average at .500.

YOUTH UPRISING: Bradley Vanderglas had a stellar week for the Norse in limited playing time, going 8-for-13 (.615) with an RBI, a double, four runs scored and a stolen base in three starts, including a weekend nod in Game 1 of the UW-Parkside series. Vanderglas is hitting .591 with 12 runs scored on the season in 16 games, including four starts.

SCHMIDT SHINES: Ryan Schmidt ran his record to 4-1 on the season with a stellar six-inning outing against UW-Parkside. The senior struck out five Rangers and allowed just one run on five hits in a 6-1 NKU victory.

STEALING SUCCESS: The Norse were not content to stand around on the base paths last week, swiping 23 bases over the eight game span, including nine in a game against UW-Parkside. Cisper went 8-for-9 in steal attempts on the week, while Patrick Muth was 5-for-6 on the base paths. Bryan Rose also swiped three bags in as many attempts.