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HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. –
Brad Clement finished 3-for-4 with an RBI to lead the Northern Kentucky University baseball team to a 4-3 victory over Jacksonville in Atlantic Sun Conference play on Saturday at the Bill Aker Baseball Complex.
After four scoreless innings, Jacksonville gained a 1-0 advantage in the fifth when a single by Garrett Ruckel allowed Drew Luther to score.
The Norse scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to take the lead.
A sacrifice bunt by
Pat Hyde advanced the runners, and he was out on the play despite pitcher Alex McRae's throw to second baseman Jake Huxtable, who was covering first, being off target. Huxtable then bobbled the ball after touching the base, and Kuzniczci was able to score.
Zac Asman doubled to left field to bring Heady home and give the Norse a 2-1 lead.
After Asman stole third,
Ryan Hinz sent a 0-2 pitch up the middle, scoring Asman home and stretching the NKU advantage to 3-1.
Josh Myers drew a walk, and Hinz and Myers both advanced on a wild pitch.
Bradley Vanderglas was walked after a pitching change to load the bases, and Hinz scored on a ground out by Clement, giving the Norse a 4-1 lead.
A two-run home run by Dylan Dillard cut the Dolphins' deficit to one (4-3) in the eighth inning. Jacksonville ended its threat with one runner on base, and
Matt Jefferson only allowed one hit in the final frame to hold on for the victory.
Kuzniczci went 2-for-4 with a run scored for the Norse.
Jefferson (1-6) earned his first victory of the season after pitching the third complete game of his career. He allowed three runs on 10 hits, and he recorded five strikeouts and only walked one batter.
Dillard, Luther and Zach Houck each finished 2-for-4 to lead the Jacksonville offense.
The Norse improved to 7-31 on the year and 2-12 in the A-Sun, while the Dolphins dropped to 14-24 overall and 7-7 in the conference.
NKU and Jacksonville conclude the series on Sunday at the Bill Aker Baseball Complex. First pitch is scheduled for noon. Live stats, broadcast and ASun.TV links will be available at NKUNorse.com.
NKU's home game against Saint Joseph's (Ind.) that was originally scheduled for Tuesday has been canceled. The Norse instead will travel to Indianapolis to face Butler in non-conference action on Wednesday.
