Bradley Vanderglas went 5-for-9 on the day with five runs, two doubles, an RBI and stolen base to complete the series sweep against Bellarmine..
Game 1 Box score Game 2 Box score
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University baseball team used a five-run third inning to take the lead for good in Game 2 against Bellarmine and cruised to a 16-5 victory on Wednesday at Knights Field in Louisville, Ky.
NKU, which is ranked No. 23 in this week's Collegiate Baseball Newspaper NCAA Division II national poll, earned the doubleheader sweep with the win after capturing an 8-3 win in the opening game.
The Norse improved to 26-10 overall, 19-3 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.
Bellarmine jumped out to an early 4-0 lead after the first inning in the nightcap, but NKU cut the advantage in half in the second.
Phil Smith started the inning off with a single up the middle for the Norse.
Zac Asman reached base when he was hit by a Caleb Shelley pitch.
Pat Williams loaded the bases when he reached on a throwing error by catcher Samuel Burke.
Patrick Hyde singled through the left side to bring home both Smith and Asman to cut the Knight lead to 4-2.
The Norse took the lead for good in the top of the third.
Bradley Vanderglas sparked the five-run inning with a double down the left field line, and
Brad Clement followed with a single.
Smith drew a walk to load the bases. Vanderglas scored when Asman reached on a fielder's choice that saw Smith out on the play.
Williams followed with a single through the right side to bring home Clement to tie the game. After a pitching change, Williams stole second base.
Jake Morris doubled to left-center after Hyde grounded out, which allowed Asman and Williams to score.
Brandon Wood brought Morris home with a single up the middle for the final run of the inning to give NKU a 7-4 advantage.
Bellarmine (19-17 overall, 12-8 in the GLVC) added a run in the fifth inning, but the Norse scored in four of the last six innings for the final margin.
Smith and Asman both collected three RBIs, while Williams and Wood finished 2-for-3 for NKU.
Jim Ryan (2-3) pitched 4 2/3 innings of relief to earn the win. He only allowed one unearned run on six hits.
The Norse held a 4-3 lead after six innings in the opener but used a four-run seventh to seal the victory.
Bradley Vanderglas went 2-for-3 with three runs scored and a stolen base to lead the Norse.
Tim Clark (3-2) picked up the win. He surrendered two runs on three hits, while collecting three strikeouts in four innings of work.
Clark and
Brett Loeding limited the Knights to four hits for the game. Loeding earned his ninth save of the season.
NKU travels to Rensselaer, Ind., this weekend for a four-game series against Saint Joseph's. The two teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday and Sunday with the first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. both days.
