Phil Smith (20) is greeting after hitting a two-run home run to tie the game.
Box score
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. –
Phil Smith homered twice to lead Northern Kentucky University to a 12-5 victory over Southern Indiana on Friday afternoon at the Bill Aker Baseball Complex.
NKU improved to 14-9 overall, 7-2 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference with the win.
Southern Indiana scored twice to take a 2-0 lead after the top of the first inning.
With two outs in the bottom of the inning,
Brad Clement reached base on an error by shortstop Reece Rounder. Smith stepped to the plate and sent a shot over left-center to tie the ballgame.
The Screaming Eagles responded with three runs in the top of the second to take a 5-2 advantage, but the Norse were able to cut the lead to one with two runs in the bottom of the third.
Bradley Vanderglas started NKU off with a walk. After Clement flew out to right field, Vanderglas stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by catcher Colton White.
Smith walked, and
Pat Williams grounded out to second base. Vanderglas scored on the play.
Kris Hecktor followed with a single up the middle, which allowed Smith to score the final run of the inning.
Smith tied the game for a second time in the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run over the left-center wall.
The Norse took the lead for good in the sixth inning.
Hecktor earned a walk to start the inning and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by
Brett Cisper.
Zac Asman doubled to left-center, bringing Hecktor home.
Jake Morris continued the inning for NKU with a single to left field and advanced to second on a throw home intended for Asman.
Head coach
Todd Asalon held Asman up at third, and White attempted to throw out Morris at second. Asman scored on the throw to second.
After a Southern Indiana pitching change, Morris stole third. A sacrifice fly by
Max Colaner brought Morris home for an 8-5 lead.
The Norse added four runs in the seventh inning for the final margin.
Jim Ryan improved to 1-3 on the season with the win. He did not allow a run on two hits in five innings of work. He added five strikeouts.
Smith finished 2-for-3 with four runs and three RBIs for the Norse. Cisper also went 2-for-3 with a run and a stolen base.
B.J. Willis went 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI to lead the Screaming Eagles. He also added a stolen base.
The two teams return to the field tomorrow for a doubleheader, which is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. NKU and Southern Indiana conclude the four-game series on Sunday at noon.
