OXFORD, Ohio - David Cook collected three hits, scored three times and smashed a decisive three-run home run in the eighth inning Wednesday as Miami (Ohio) University defeated Northern Kentucky University, 9-5, at McKie Field.
Miami held a 6-5 lead with one out and two on in the eighth inning when Cook unloaded a three-run blast over the left-field wall off reliever Justin Seiter to extend the RedHawks’ advantage to 9-5. Michael Gardner came on in relief for Miami in the ninth inning and allowed a leadoff single to Shaun Erie, but he closed the game by striking out the final three batters.
Miami (17-16-1) held a 5-4 lead in the seventh inning, but a two-out RBI single by NKU’s Jerrod Fraley drove in Chris Osterkamp and evened the score at 5-5.
Miami regained the lead in the bottom of the inning when Michael Carlin hit a two-out triple and later scored on Tyler Tabler’s RBI single. Cook sealed the victory for the RedHawks in the eighth inning with his three-run homer.
Osterkamp and Ryan Wells each hit solo home runs for NKU, which dropped to 19-17. Erie finished with three hits for the Norse, who have lost five consecutive games.
NKU starter Dizzy Peyton pitched 7 1/3 innings and picked up seven strikeouts. He was also charged with eight earned runs.
The Norse will return to Great Lakes Valley Conference play on Friday with a noon doubleheader against Kentucky Wesleyan College at the Bill Aker Baseball Complex at Friendship Field.
Jerrod Fraley