Northern Kentucky University Athletics

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University baseball team is scheduled for five games this week, beginning Tuesday at 3:05 p.m. with a single contest against Division I foe Indiana University of the Big Ten conference. Following their trip to Bloomington, the Norse will welcome Kentucky Wesleyan this weekend in a home conference series.

Live audio for all games this week can be found at nkunorse.com. Game 1 of each doubleheader against Kentucky Wesleyan can also be heard on WQRT-AM “Real Talk 1160”.

The Norse returned home this past weekend for a pair of Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheaders against West division opponents. First, they welcomed in the Drury Panthers, who came into the contest as the pre-season favorites in the West. The Norse split the series with Drury, winning Game 1, 2-1 in 12 innings, before dropping Game 2, 7-5 in eight innings. Missouri S&T visited on Sunday, also splitting the series with NKU.

A LOOK AT INDIANA: The Hoosiers come into Tuesday's contest with a 14-8 record. They have two wins over ranked opponents, including a 2-1 win in 16 innings at No. 18 Coastal Carolina on Feb. 20. Indiana beat No. 14 Connecticut 3-1 on Feb. 26. This past weekend Indiana split a two-game series with Evansville.  Tuesday will mark the first meeting between the Norse and the Hoosiers.

Joey DeNato is scheduled to take the hill for Indiana. He owns a 2-1 record with a 3.86 earned run average. He has appeared in six games, starting three for the Hoosiers. Micah Johnson is pacing the offense, leading the team with a .391 average and also has 10 RBIs to his credit. Alex Dickerson leads the team with four home runs and 20 RBIs while hitting .349.

A LOOK AT KENTUCKY WESLEYAN: The Panthers enter Monday with a 4-9 record overall. This past weekend they were swept at home by Rockhurst, 8-6 and 4-1, in a two-game set. They are scheduled to take on Oakland City on Wednesday in a single-game matchup.

Jordan White is the leading hitter for KWC, hitting .333 with a home run and 10 RBIs. Jon Wandling has been effective in two starts on the hill. He owns a 1-1 record with a 1.38 earned run average. Wandling has 11 strikeouts and only one walk in 13 innings, and opponents are only hitting .159 against him.

NKU leads the all-time series against Kentucky Wesleyan, 56-34.

STRIKEOUT KING: Dave Middendorf's second strikeout against Drury on Saturday made him the all-time leader at NKU for strikeouts. He recorded strikeout number 260, breaking Derrick Moeves' (2003-05) record of 259. Expect Middendorf to set more records at NKU, as he is currently fourth in school history in starts, sixth in innings pitched, and is 11th in wins.

OVERTIME PERFORANCE: Middendorf didn't just break the strikeout record Saturday, he pitched a gem. “Middie” went an astounding 11 innings, allowing only one run on four hits and striking out nine. He picked up a no-decision as the Norse won the game in the 12th inning.

GLVC LEADERS: Dave Middendorf is pacing GLVC hurlers in strikeouts with 45. His nearest competitors, St. Joseph's Eric Meyerchick and Bellarmine's Kyle Grana each have 36. "Middie" is also fourth in earned run average at 2.28. Andy Heston leads the league in wins with five out of the Norse bullpen.

Offensively, Brad Clement leads the GLVC in RBI with 27. He also stands fourth in hits (28), and total bases (39). Brett Cisper is fourth in the league with 19 runs scored. Zac Asman is second in stolen bases with 10 base swipes.