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By Mike Anderson, NKU Sports Information SAUGET, Ill. - Under lights that should have never been turned on, the Northern Kentucky baseball team played its way into the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament championship game after a 4-3 victory over nemesis Bellarmine on Sunday night. It was the first time in six tries that the Norse have claimed victory over the Knights, including a 1-0 decision in the tournament's opening game. The Knights got on the board in the first following Rusty Farris's leadoff double down the left-field line. Patrick Brady's infield single put runners at the corners with one out. With Shane Noble at the plate, Brady broke for second and Larry Pempek's throw sailed into center field, allowing Farris to score. The Norse responded in the bottom of the first as Jeff Bohlen doubled into left field to get the rally started. Jake Shaffer followed up with a line single into right field to bring in Bohlen and even things up. Evan McDole popped a 2-2 pitch into center field that no one could get to, and hard base-running turned what should have been a single into a double, scoring Shaffer and giving the Norse a 2-1 lead after one. NKU got two more on another McDole double, this one hit well over the head of Bellarmine center fielder Adam Chester, to stretch the lead to three in the second inning. NKU starter Eric Braeckel was solid, retiring 11 of 12 Bellarmine batters in order, including Larry Pempek's gunning down of Farris as he tried to steal second base in the third. Bellarmine cut the lead down to 4-2 in the fifth after Farris got his third hit of the day, an RBI single to plate Cameron Howell. The Knights got another run in the ninth on Brady's leadoff home run. Dave Middendorf, who pitched a complete game against the Knights earlier in the tournament, came in and shut the door, retiring the final two batters to get his first career save and send the Norse to the championship game. Jordan (6-0) made GLVC history as the only man to claim three victories in the GLVC Tournament. The sophomore gave up one run and struck out four in 3 2/3 innings of work. Braeckel pitched 4 2/3 innings in the start, giving up four hits and striking out four. McDole paced the offense, going 2-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs. Jason Cisper was also 2-for-3 on the game. Michael Thompson (6-2) took the loss for Bellarmine, allowing four runs on six hits while fanning nine Norse batters. Northern Kentucky (36-22) now faces No. 17 Saint Joseph's for the GLVC Championship. First pitch is scheduled for 9 a.m. EDT. The winner of Monday morning's contest will receive an automatic qualifier to the NCAA North Central Regional tournament. The game can be heard on nkunorse.com. |
