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FLORENCE, Ky. - Josh Lueke threw a seven-hit shutout to lead Northern Kentucky University to a 1-0 win over Lewis on Saturday afternoon at Champion Window Field. Lueke, a 6-foot-5 junior right-hander in his first season with the Norse, struck out five batters as NKU completed a three-game sweep over the visiting Flyers. The Scott High School graduate scattered seven hits and was the beneficiary of three double plays turned by the Norse defense. Lewis loaded the bases with two outs in the ninth inning, but Lueke (2-5) battled out of the jam by getting Billy Duffy to ground out to second to end the game. Lewis stranded 11 base runners Saturday, and the Flyers were also victimized by an outstanding defensive play by NKU first baseman Evan McDole in the fourth inning on an attempted suicide squeeze by Chris Brigham. McDole charged in on the bunt attempt, dove for the ball and caught it just before it hit the ground. He then doubled off Ryan Duran - who had taken off from third for home - by tossing the ball to third baseman Matt Wagers to end the Lewis threat. The scheduled nightcap Saturday was canceled due to the below-freezing temperatures. Kory Lonergan drove in the game's only run with a double in the sixth inning. Jon Back started the rally with a single and stole second base. Lonergan then delivered a run-scoring double down the left-field line to drive in Back to give NKU a 1-0 lead. NKU improved to 15-18 overall, 13-8 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Lewis dropped to 4-27, 3-18 in the GLVC. The Norse return to action Wednesday with a GLVC road doubleheader at Kentucky Wesleyan at Owensboro, Ky.
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