JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – The Northern Kentucky University baseball team exploded for a Division I program record 21 runs off 20 hits on Sunday to defeat East Tennessee State, 21-12, at Thomas Stadium as the Norse claimed their first series win of the season.

NKU's offensive barrage began with a six-run fourth inning. The Norse went on to score five runs in both the fifth and seventh frames with the help of a pair of three-run homers from Quint Heady and Mike Moffatt.

Sophomore shortstop Dominic Mercurio enjoyed a career day, posting a career-high five RBI after a 3-for-5 performance at the plate and one run scored.

Moffatt's home run handed him a career-best three RBI as the sophomore also crossed the plate three times for NKU.

The pair join five other Norse who had multi-hit games while Heady, Anthony Vagnier and Jake Hickey posted multi-RBI showings.

ETSU held a 3-1 advantage through three innings before NKU unleashed 11 runs and nine hits across the fourth and fifth frames.

NKU's sixth-run fourth was highlighted by a three-run double off the bat of Mercurio. Will Haueter led off the inning with a double before a passed ball, walk, and pair of hit batters combined to score Haueter and load the bases for Mercurio. Conor Ledger followed with an RBI double for the 7-3 advantage.

The Bucs briefly tied the game at 7-7 in their half of the fourth frame. Heady then clubbed his three-run homer to cap off a five-run fifth, but the Buccaneers again kept it close, cutting the Norse lead to 12-10 through five innings.

Moffatt launched his three-run homer in the seventh inning as NKU jumped out to a 17-10 lead. The advantage would provide enough insurance for the win, but the Norse added on four more runs in the top of the ninth.

NKU out-hit ETSU, 20-15, and faced eight different Buccaneer pitchers.

Nick Beard (1-0) picked up his first win of the season after tossing 3.0 relief innings, allowing two runs, one earned, while striking out four.

Northern Kentucky returns to action in its home opener on March 5 and 6 for a pair of doubleheaders against Western Illinois at Bill Aker Baseball Complex. Both twinbills are slated to start at noon.

NORSE NOTES:

• The last time NKU scored 21 or more runs in a game was April 18, 2010 vs. Maryville (Mo.) when the Norse won 23-0. Additionally, the last time NKU had 20 or more hits was April 22, 2014 when the Norse clubbed 21 in a win over Xavier.
• Eight of NKU's 20 hits were extra-base knocks after the Norse smacked six doubles and two home runs.
• NKU's lead-off batter reached base six times in nine innings while the Norse batted .435 (20-of-46) on the day and .400 (8-of-20) with runners in scoring position.
• Haueter, a freshman, has started the year on a seven-game hitting streak and is batting .429 (12-of-28) with four doubles, four runs scored and three RBI.