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SAN DIEGO – The University of San Diego baseball team scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to regain the lead for the final time as the Toreros defeated Northern Kentucky University, 14-8, on Sunday at Folwer Park to complete the series sweep.
Louie Lechich finished 4-for-5 with two doubles, four RBIs and two runs for San Diego (6-1), while Connor Joe went 3-for-5 with a triple, four RBIs and one run. Austin Bailey, Andrew Daniel and Hunter Mercado-Hood each recorded two-hit days as well.
For the fourth consecutive game, San Diego jumped out to an early lead after plating two runs to open the game's scoring in the first inning.
NKU's offense struck in the top of the second frame to gain just the second lead of the weekend for the Norse.
Logan Spurlin reached base on an error by third baseman Brandon DeFazio. Singles by
Jordan Procyshen and
Quint Heady loaded the bases, and
Josh Myers sent a Ryan Olson pitch into left field, scoring Spurlin.
A
Brad Bohlen single brought Procyshen and Heady home to give NKU a 3-2 advantage, and
Ryan LeFevers drew a walk to once again load the bases, spelling the end of the day for Olson. Lucas Long proceeded to hit
Kyle Colletta with a pitch, and Myers scored as a result. Bohlen came home for a 5-2 Norse lead on an RBI groundout by
Cody Kuzniczci.
The Toreros cut into the NKU lead with an RBI single by Daniel, which scored Kyle Holder in the bottom of the inning, and San Diego regained the lead the next frame when the Toreros strung together three singles with a hit by pinch to score three runs for a 6-5 advantage.
NKU (1-7) took the lead back in the top of the next inning. LeFevers sent a one-out single into center field, and Colletta sent him to second with a single to right-center field. After a strikeout, Spurlin was intentionally walked to load the bases.
Zac Asman then stepped to the plate and sent an 0-2 pitch into left field to bring LeFevers, Colletta and Spurlin home for an 8-6 Norse lead.
San Diego chipped away at the NKU lead, scoring a run on a sacrifice fly by DeFazio that scored Ben Wylly in the bottom of the fourth inning, and then regained the lead for the final time with two runs in the sixth on RBI singles.
The Toreros added an insurance run the next frame when Daniel stole third and scored on a throwing error by Procyshen as the Norse committed three errors total. San Diego added four runs in the eighth for the final margin of the game.
Brandon Show (1-0) pitched 3.1 scoreless innings of relief for his first win of the season after scattering four hits. Show stuck out three batters and only walked one, while
Jake Shaw (0-1) suffered the loss for the Norse after allowing five earned runs on five hits in four innings of work. Shaw recorded two strikeouts in relief of starter
Wendell Wright, who surrendered just three earned runs in three innings of work.
Myers went 3-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI to lead the NKU offense, while Procyshen finished 3-for-5 with a run scored. Asman and Colletta recorded two-hit games for the Norse, while Spurlin was intentionally walked three times.
NKU travels to Atlanta next weekend for a three-game series against Georgia State Feb. 28-March 2. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 4 p.m. Eastern, with a 2 p.m. start time slated for Saturday. The two teams will then wrap up the series on Sunday at 2 p.m. Links to live stats and John Asalon's audio broadcast will be available at nkunorse.com.
