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By Mike Anderson, NKU Sports Information TAMPA, Fla. - The Northern Kentucky University baseball team fought valiantly against No. 3-ranked Tampa, but could not find a measure of success, as the Spartans swept a doubleheader against the Norse, 4-3 and 6-1. The Spartans (12-2-1) jumped out in the first inning, picking up the game’s first run on a Jose Jimenez single. Jake Shaffer drew the game even again with an RBI-single in the top of the third for the Norse, but the Spartans responded quickly with two in the bottom half of the frame. The teams traded runs yet again, with the Norse scoring on a Jeff Bohlen single in the sixth, while Jesus Barroso plated a run in the seventh on a sacrifice fly. Jon Back’s first home run of the season came with two outs in the top of the ninth inning to bring the Norse within one. However, the deficit was too much to overcome. Seven Norse shared in the eight hits, with Back going 2-for-4 in the opener. Sean Munninghoff (0-1) went 6 1/3 innings, picking up two strikeouts in the loss. Dave Middendorf pitched 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. The Spartans jumped ahead early in Game 2, scoring one in the first inning and three more in the second, and never looked back. Preseason All-American Junior Mejia was 2-for-3 with a home run to lead Tampa at the plate. Evan McDole went 2-for-3, including an RBI-double in the top of the ninth, to pace the Norse in the nightcap. Cameron Betourne (0-2) was saddled with the loss after just 1 1/3 innings on the mound. NKU (0-4) will try to salvage the series’ final game Sunday, as the teams wrap up their three-game set with a 1 p.m. first pitch. |
