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HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Aaron Sandoval factored into each run for the Lipscomb University baseball team on Saturday afternoon and lifted the Bisons to a 3-2 victory in 10 innings over Northern Kentucky University in Atlantic Sun Conference play at the Bill Aker Baseball Complex.
Logan Spurlin's third home run of the season opened the scoring in the second inning and gave NKU (8-39 overall, 3-17 in the A-Sun) an early 1-0 lead, but a double by Tyson Ashcraft allowed Sandoval to score and evened the game in the top of the sixth.
The Norse, however, answered in the bottom of the frame to regain the lead.
Brett Cisper, pinch-hitting for Spurlin, drew a walk to start the inning, and
Anthony Vagnier was hit by a pitch. After a pitching change,
Caleb Lonkard advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt. Cisper scored on Tyler Burstrom's wild pitch for a 2-1 edge.
Sandoval struck in the eighth with an RBI single to center field, which allowed Taylor Stewart to score for the second tie of the contest.
Lee Wilson sparked the game-winning rally in the top of the 10th inning with a single to center field, and he advanced to second when
Josh Myers mishandled the ball. After a failed bunt attempt by Stewart and Drew Adams flew out to left field, Sandoval stepped to the plate and sent a 2-1 shot up the middle, and Wilson scored to give Lipscomb (17-30 overall, 7-13 in the A-Sun) a 3-2 advantage.
Tyler Burstrum then retired the Norse in order to preserve the win for the Bisons.
NKU put runners on base in the eighth and ninth frames, but double plays ended both of the threats. The Norse left eight runners stranded on the day.
Zach Lowery led the Bison attack, going 3-for-4 with two stolen bases. Sandoval finished 2-for-5 with a run scored and two RBIs.
Burstrom (4-3) pitched five innings of scoreless relief to earn the win. He scattered two hits and collected six strikeouts.
Matt Jefferson (1-7) recorded his second complete game of the season. He only surrendered one earned run on 11 hits. He struck out three batters and did not walk one.
Jefferson's 10-inning effort marked the first time an NKU pitcher went more than nine innings since David Middendorf pitched 11 innings against Drury on March 26, 2011.
Lonkard went 2-for-3 to lead the Norse, while
Quint Heady finished 2-for-5 with a double.
NKU and Lipscomb conclude the series Sunday afternoon. First pitch is slated for noon. Live stats and broadcast information will be available at NKUNorse.com.
