Pat Williams went 5-for-7 with three runs and an RBI to lead NKU on Sunday.
Game 1 Box score Game 2 Box score
RENSSELAER, Ind. – The Northern Kentucky University baseball team salvaged a series split with Saint Joseph's at Gil Hodges Field in Rensselaer, Ind., on Sunday afternoon with a 5-2 victory in the nightcap.
NKU, which is 28-12 overall, 21-5 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, plated two runs in the second inning to take the early lead.
Zac Asman singled to second base to spark the Norse offense. He proceeded to second on a wild pitch by Phil Trowbridge.
Pat Williams drew a walk to reach base. Asman and Williams advanced bases on a sacrifice bunt by
Jake Morris.
Patrick Hyde loaded the bases for NKU by earning a walk.
Josh Myers fouled out to right field to bring Asman home, and Williams scored on the second wild pitch of the inning.
The Pumas put a run on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth inning to cut into the Norse lead, but NKU responded with two runs in the fifth to extend the lead.
Williams hit a two-out single and advanced to second. Morris followed with single through the left side, and Williams advanced to third.
Williams scored on a passed ball, while Morris reached second on the play. Morris proceeded to steal third.
Hyde reached base on an error by shortstop Chris Hauser, which allowed Morris to score to give the Norse a 4-1 advantage.
Kolin Conner scored in the bottom of the seventh for the final run of the game for Saint Joseph's, while NKU added a run in the eighth inning for the final margin.
Williams finished 3-for-4 with two runs for the Norse, while
Max Colaner went 3-for-4 with a run and two stolen bases.
Matt Jefferson (4-1) earned the win for NKU. He went seven innings and only allowed two runs on eight hits.
Brent Wethington picked up his first save of the season by pitching two hitless innings. He collected three strikeouts.
Saint Joseph's (14-27 overall, 13-15 in the GLVC) scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning in the opening game to come from behind for a 6-5 win over NKU.
Williams went 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI for the Norse.
NKU returns home on Tuesday afternoon to makeup a doubleheader against Indianapolis, which was rained out on April 14. The first pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Indianapolis scored six runs in the third inning of the opening game to take the lead and cruised to a 17-3 win over NKU on April 15.
Kris Hecktor singled to center field in the bottom of the sixth inning to drive in the go-ahead run, and the Norse picked up a 3-2 victory in the nightcap to salvage the split.
