Northern Kentucky University Athletics

Photo gallery | Game 1 box score | Game 2 box score

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The top two baseball teams in the Great Lakes Valley Conference squared off Wednesday afternoon as Northern Kentucky University played host to Southern Indiana, and each squad pulled off a win during a doubleheader split.

Southern Indiana, which is ranked No. 22 in the NCAA Division II poll, built a 6-0 lead and held off a late-inning rally to win the opener by a 6-5 score. NKU, ranked No. 29 nationally, bounced back in the nightcap and rolled to a 9-5 victory.

NKU is 29-12 overall after the split, while Southern Indiana is 31-9. The results from Wednesday's doubleheader split do not count in the GLVC standings. NKU leads the GLVC East Division with a 15-5 record, while Southern Indiana is atop the GLVC West Division with a 17-3 slate.

Southern Indiana is also ranked No. 1 in the NCAA Division II Midwest Region poll, while NKU is No. 3. Grand Valley State is No. 2 in the poll, and Ashland is No. 4.

In the opener, Southern Indiana starting pitcher Dan Marcacci cruised into the bottom of the seventh inning with a one-hitter and a 6-0 lead. NKU, however, chased Marcacci and eventually cut the Southern Indiana advantage to 6-5 on a two-run single by Pat Muth with two outs.

Southern Indiana reliever Wandy Rosario then intentionally walked NKU's Evan McDole to load the bases, bringing Shannon McCormick to the plate with the tying run at third and winning run at second. Rosario induced McCormick to hit a grounder to second for the game's final out.

NKU collected six hits in the bottom of the seventh after getting just a lone single from Brian Erie during the previous six innings. Jason Cisper had a two-run single in the seventh, and teammate Jake Morris added a RBI single.

NKU dominated the nightcap, using a 15-hit attack en route to a 9-5 victory. Larry Pempek and Joe Mack each went 4-for-4 to lead the Norse offensive assault. Pempek also drove in three runs, including a two-run double down the right-field line in the second inning that gave NKU a 2-0 lead.

Jeff Bohlen went 3-for-4 and scored three runs, while McDole added a pair of doubles and two runs batted in. NKU owned a 9-1 lead going into the top of the seventh, but Southern Indiana scored four times to slice the Norse advantage to 9-5.

NKU starter Kevin Jordan picked up the complete-game victory, allowing just two earned runs and scattering seven hits in seven innings. Jordan recorded five strikeouts and did not walk a batter to collect his fifth win of the season.

NKU plays host to GLVC newcomer Maryville this weekend for a four-game series, beginning with a noon doubleheader on Saturday.

NKU is now 8-2 during its current 16-game homestand. The Norse had won seven straight until dropping the opener of Wednesday's doubleheader.