Brad Clement drove in five runs in NKU's 19-2 victory over Bellarmine on Wednesday.
Game 1 box score |
Game 2 box score
LOUISIVLLE, Ky. - The Northern Kentucky University baseball team exploded for 19 runs during a doubleheader Wednesday afternoon, but piled them all into one game, claiming a 19-2 victory over Bellarmine in Great Lakes Valley Conference action.
The nightcap saw four Knight pitchers combine to no-hit the Norse in a 1-0 decision. The doubleheader split moves the Norse to 15-12 overall and 5-7 in GLVC play.
Eight of the nine NKU starters registered at least two hits as the Norse pounded out 22 base knocks in Game 1 to set a season-high for hits and runs scored in the contest.
Jake Morris led the Norse with a 3-for-4 performance, scoring two runs and driving in another.
Brad Clement, the GLVC's RBI leader, drove in five more in the contest thanks to a 2-for-6 game, including his second home run of the season.
Clement's round-tripper came in the three-run first inning. The Norse broke the game open in the sixth inning, crossing the plate 10 times in the frame to put the game out of reach.
Tim Clark (1-1) wove a masterful game on the hill for the Norse, striking out five batters in seven innings while scattering nine hits, all singles.
The 19 runs in Game 1 were the most scored in the series against Bellarmine since a 17-17 tie between the clubs in the 1998 season.
In Game 2, Bellarmine's Jason Sterrett (4-1) powered through a four-inning, five-walk performance without allowing an NKU hit or run. Kyle Grana and Caleb Shelley held serve, while Phil Forbis pitched a perfect seventh inning to notch his fifth save.
The Knights' only run came on a wild pitch in the fourth inning, plating Braxton Graven, who walked to lead off the frame.
Jim Ryan (2-1) took the hard-luck loss for NKU, giving up an unearned run on four hits over five innings.
Game 2 marked the first time the Norse have been no-hit since March 4, 2006, when Kyle Jones of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville held NKU hitless in a 5-0 win.
NKU has a light workout on Thursday before returning to the road for a four-game GLVC series at Southern Indiana beginning on Friday night.
