Box score
SAN MARCOS, Texas –
Brad Clement scored on an error to cap a six-run ninth inning that gave the Northern Kentucky University baseball team its first lead of the game, and the Norse held on for a 6-5 victory over Texas State on Friday evening at the Bobcat Ballpark.
NKU improved to 2-6 with its second dramatic win of the season. Last week, the Norse earned the first victory of their inaugural NCAA Division I season with a 5-3 victory over Saint Louis in 14-innings. NKU took advantage of an error in that game to score the winning run as well.
Texas State (2-7) jumped out to a 5-0 lead after the third inning and looked to be cruising to the victory after holding NKU scoreless over the first eight innings. The Bobcats held the Norse to just four hits until the ninth inning.
The NKU offense scored six runs on six hits in the final inning to take the lead.
Cody Kuzniczci began the inning with a double to left field. He advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on
Pat Hyde single.
After a pitching change by Texas State,
Quint Heady singled through the left side and advanced Hyde to second.
Caleb Lonkard followed with a single through the left side as well to load the bases with no outs.
Barrett Arnold, who pinch-hit for
Conor Ledger, beat out a double-play attempt and reached on a fielder's choice with Lonkard out on the play, but Hyde was able to score and cut the Bobcat lead to 5-2. Arnold stole second, and
Ryan Hinz walked to again load the bases.
Clement stepped to the plate and brought the Norse to within one with a single to left-center field, scoring Heady and Arnold.
The Bobcats changed pitchers again, and
Brandon Wood pinch-hit for
Anthony Vagnier. Wood sent the first pitch into left field and Hyde scored to tie the game.
Zac Asman reached on a fielder's choice after shortstop Garrett Mattlage made a diving stop to keep the ball from going into the outfield and Wood was out at second, bringing Kuzniczci to the plate for the second time of the inning.
A throwing error by third baseman Nick Smelser allowed Kuzniczci to reach first and Clement to come home for the go-ahead run for NKU.
Brett Loeding took over on the mound for the Norse in the bottom of the inning and retired the Bobcats in order to hang on for the win and his first save of the season.
Clement finished 3-for-5 with two RBIs and a run scored to lead the NKU offense. Kuzniczci and Heady each collected two hits for the Norse.
Tim Clark (1-0) pitched one inning of relief and earned his first win of the season. He did not allow a hit and recorded a strikeout.
Morgan Mickan and Austin O'Neal went 2-for-3 for the Bobcats and each recorded a run in the third inning. Mickan collected an RBI as well.
Kyle Finnegan pitched six scoreless innings for Texas State. He scattered three hits and struck out six batters.
NKU and Texas State return to action Saturday, and first pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.
