Mike Nastold and the NKU baseball team host Indianapolis this weekend.
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University baseball team returns home looking to extend its winning streak with a four-game series against Indianapolis this weekend at the Bill Aker Baseball Complex.
NKU enters the weekend having won 16 games in a row and holds first place in the Great Lakes Valley Conference East Division. The Norse are 23-9 overall, 16-2 in the GLVC after a series sweep at Kentucky Wesleyan last weekend.
Indianapolis is 21-9 overall, 12-4 in the GLVC and in second place behind NKU. The Greyhounds have won five games in a row after sweeping a doubleheader against Kentucky State on Tuesday.
The two teams will take the field for doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday. The first pitch for both days is scheduled for noon.
Live stats and broadcast information for the weekend's action will be available at nkunorse.com. John Asalon and Andrew Kappes will be broadcasting Saturday's games from the hill behind left field.
WEEKEND EVENTS: Join the Norse in supporting two important causes during this weekend's games.
Saturday, fans are encouraged to bring their dogs along with them to the ballpark for the inaugural “Bark in the Park” event. The Boone County and Campbell County Adoption Waggin' and Jumping Jacks Inflatables will in attendance.
The Strike Out Cancer game will take place on Sunday. Fans are encouraged to wear pink in support of breast cancer awareness, and pink t-shirts will be on sale for $10. There will also be a pink NKU basket raffle during the day. All proceeds benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
LAST TIME AGAINST INDIANAPOLIS: The Norse won three out of four games last season against the Greyhounds in Indianapolis. NKU dropped a 2-1 decision in the opening game of the series on April 23 but went on to win the final three games by a 16-6 margin.
Brett Cisper went 6-for-14 with three runs and four RBIs on the weekend for the Norse. He also collected two doubles and a stolen base.
NKU currently holds a 55-33 advantage in the all-time series against Indianapolis.
SOLID PITCHING: The NKU pitching staff has combined for three shutouts over the past six games.
Mike Nastold earned his first win of the season in Game 1 against Bellarmine as the Norse cruised to a 9-0 victory. He collected four strikeouts in three innings of work.
Jim Ryan and
Blake Bagshaw only allowed one hit to close out the game.
Tim Clark,
Brent Wethington and
Brett Loeding led NKU to a 6-0 win over Bellarmine in Game 2 on Tuesday. They only gave up seven hits and collected seven strikeouts.
Saturday, the Norse pitching staff held Kentucky Wesleyan scoreless as NKU defeated the Panthers 4-0 in Game 2. Nastold only allowed two hits and collected five strikeouts. Ryan and Loeding pitched in relief to earn the combined shutout.
HOT HITTING: NKU outscored Bellarmine and Kentucky Wesleyan last week 32-6.
Bradley Vanderglas went 5-for-6 with three runs scored, four RBIs and a stolen base on the day against Bellarmine on Tuesday. He also collected six hits and scored three runs over the weekend against Kentucky Wesleyan.
Brad Clement finished 6-for-8 on the day with three runs scored to lead the Norse over the Panthers on Saturday. He went 3-for-3 in the opening game and added two runs as NKU claimed a 5-3 victory.
Kris Hecktor collected five hits, four runs and two RBIs over six games last week, while
Zac Asman added seven hits and four RBIs for the Norse.
