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By Chad Hensley, NKU Sports Information FLORENCE, Ky. - Steve Braun’s 12th-inning single with two outs drove in Nick Troilo from third base with the go-ahead run as Rockhurst held on for a 3-2 win over Northern Kentucky University on Sunday afternoon. Troilo led off the top of the 12th inning with a bloop single down the left-field line, and he advanced to third following a groundout and a flyout to set up Braun’s heroics. Braun’s RBI single - grounded perfectly between third baseman Matt Wagers and shortstop Kory Lonergan – came off reliever Kevin Jordan and gave the Hawks their first lead of the weekend series. Jordan (1-4) suffered the loss for the Norse, while Patrick Larm (8-4) pitched eight scoreless innings in relief of starter Drew Chandler to get the victory. Larm allowed just three hits and struck out five to shut down a Norse offense that had rolled up 24 runs and 32 hits during a doubleheader sweep Saturday night. In his eight innings of relief, Larm faced just 25 batters. Larm’s brilliant outing wasn’t the only one of the afternoon. NKU starter Josh Lueke turned in another dazzling performance as he went 9 2/3 innings, allowing two runs with one of those being earned. Lueke, a graduate of Scott High School, allowed eight hits and struck out eight while only allowing two walks for the no decision. NKU took an early 2-0 lead in the second inning when Larry Pempek’s grounder with the bases loaded was thrown away, allowing Kevin Dusold and Evan McDole to score. After that, only one Norse base runner reached second and that was via a balk by Larm. Braun, who went 3-for-6 on the day, started things for the Hawks in the top of the fourth as he laced a sharp single to left field and scored when Dan Hunter grounded out. Rockhurst managed to push across the tying run in the top of the fifth with the help of an error by Pempek. Rick Pisani singled to begin the inning and advanced over to third on a sacrifice bunt and single. Pisani scored when Tyler Knust hit a dribbler down the first-base line, and Lueke’s throw to the plate was misplayed by Pempek. Despite the loss, the Norse (24-22, 20-12 Great Lakes Valley Conference) were able to maintain fourth place in the league standings. The top six teams will qualify for the GLVC Tournament, which begins May 10 at Sauget, Ill. NKU will host Indianapolis in a doubleheader at noon on Tuesday. The Norse conclude their home schedule next weekend as they host Missouri-Rolla. NKU will honor its 11 seniors - David Armstrong, Adam Bell, Brian Beltz, Mark Bogenschutz, Josh Bruns, Kory Lonergan, Matt Marksbury, Chris Nann, Greg Pass, Matt Wagers, and Jim Volpe - and their families prior to Sunday’s game.
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