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May 4, 2003 |
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NKU LOSES AT SOUTHERN INDIANA |
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Norse do not qualify for GLVC Tournament |
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EVANSVILLE, Ind. - Andy Nucci’s three-run double highlighted a six-run outburst in the sixth inning Sunday as the University of Southern Indiana rallied to defeat Northern Kentucky University, 8-4, in a game that was shortened due to inclement weather. The game was called in the bottom of the seventh due to rain. NKU had closed the gap to 8-7 in the top of the inning, but because the inning was not completed the score reverted to the previous inning and Southern Indiana was awarded an 8-4 victory. NKU held a 4-2 lead going into the bottom of the sixth inning, but the Screaming Eagles used two singles, a walk, an error and Nucci’s bases-loaded double to take a 6-4 lead. Justin Konopacki then capped the Southern Indiana outburst with a two-run single, and the Screaming Eagles were up by an 8-4 score. NKU fought back with three runs in the top of the seventh, but the game was called in the bottom of the inning due to heavy rain. Jerrod Fraley and Steve Kolcun each had two hits to lead the NKU offense. Norse starter Derrick Moeves allowed four earned runs in five innings, but he was unable to retire a batter in the sixth and suffered the loss. NKU dropped to 28-24 overall, 15-15 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. The Norse - who entered Sunday in fifth place in the GLVC standings - were eliminated from GLVC Tournament contention when Kentucky Wesleyan College and Quincy University both won their games Sunday. The top six teams qualify for the GLVC Tournament, and NKU finished tied with Kentucky Wesleyan (15-15 GLVC) for sixth place. The Panthers, however, swept a three-game series from NKU last month and hold the tiebreaker with the Norse. Quincy, meanwhile, is 15-14 in the GLVC with one game remaining on Monday. The Hawks, though, won two of three games against NKU and also own the tiebreaker with the Norse. Quincy will be either the No. 5 or No. 4 seed, depending on the outcome of Monday’s game. NKU won the GLVC Tournament last season and advanced to the NCAA Division II Tournament. |