Jake Morris scored the game winning run in the seventh inning of Game 2
Game 1 Box score Game 2 Box score
COLUMBUS, Ga. –
Phil Smith's hot bat in Game 1 led Northern Kentucky University to a 7-6 upset over No. 7 Columbus State in 11 innings on Sunday afternoon.
The Norse won the weekend series against the Cougars with a 4-3 victory in Game 2.
Smith went 4-for-6 with a home run and two RBIs in Game 1 for NKU.
The Cougars took an early 1-0 lead after the second inning, but the Norse took advantage of three errors to add five runs in the third.
Jake Morris led off the inning with a single through the left side.
Brandon Wood and
Max Colaner both reached base on throwing errors to load the bases for NKU.
A
Kris Hecktor sacrifice fly brought Morris home, and
Brett Cisper drew a walk to load the bases again.
Brad Clement singled through the right side and advanced to second on a throwing error, allowing Wood, Colaner and Cisper to score.
Smith followed with a single to bring Clement home for the final run of the inning.
Columbus State added a run in both the fifth and sixth innings to cut NKU's lead to two.
Smith hit a home run to right field in the eighth inning to extend the lead to 6-3 for the Norse.
The Cougar offense used a three-run ninth to force the game into extra innings.
Wood singled to left field to start the offense in the 11th for NKU and was replaced by
Josh Myers. Hecktor walked, advancing Myers to second.
Myers advanced to third as Cisper reached base on a fielder's choice. Clement singled through the left side, and Myers scored.
Brett Loeding held the Cougars scoreless in the bottom of the innings to seal the victory for NKU.
Loeding picked up the win for the Norse and improved to 2-0 on the season. He only allowed two earned runs on eight hits and collected four strikeouts.
NKU kept up the momentum in Game 2 and took a 3-2 lead going into the bottom of the sixth inning. Columbus State scored a run in the sixth to tie the game.
Jake Morris doubled down the right field line in the seventh and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Morris scored on a wild pitch to take a 4-3 lead.
Columbus State loaded the bases with just one out in the bottom of the inning but was unable to bring a runner home.
Cody Cooper earned his first win of the season for NKU. He did not allow a run and only surrendered three hits.
Pat Williams led the Norse offense in Game 2. He went 2-for-3 with two RBIs.
The Norse improved to 5-6 with the two wins.
NKU returns home next Saturday to face Lake Erie in a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. They will play a single game against Iowa Wesleyan at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
