Matt Wagers

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The Northern Kentucky University baseball team belted three home runs in the opener of a doubleheader Tuesday to post a 6-4 win over sixth-ranked Ashland at the Bill Aker Baseball Complex at Friendship Field.

Matt Wagers, Conor McGeehan and Alex Frank each homered in that game to lead NKU. McGeehan belted a solo homer off Ashland starter Todd Martinelli in the third inning to give NKU a 3-2 lead.

It was McGeehan’s third homer of the spring, and the junior catcher was 2-for-2 with two runs batted in during the opener.

Matt Jones followed McGeehan’s third-inning homer with a double, and Wagers delivered a two-run shot to left field that extended the Norse’s advantage to 5-2. It was also the third homer of the season for Wagers, who went 2-for-3 with two RBI.

Frank added a solo homer to right field in the fifth inning to account for NKU’s final run. Norse starter Matt Marksbury scattered six hits and struck out three en route to the complete-game victory. Marksbury is 3-0 this spring.

In the second game, Ashland built a 5-0 lead and held off a late NKU rally for a 5-2 victory. The Eagles scored four times in the fourth inning and added another run in the fifth to chase NKU starter Kevin Quick from the game.

NKU rallied for two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning and had the bases loaded with two out. Kory Lonergan then hit a grounder back to the mound, and Ashland reliever Josh Davidson fielded and tossed to first baseman Ron Oneson to end the game.

NKU is 8-8 overall, while Ashland is 17-6. The Eagles are ranked No. 6 nationally in the latest NCAA Division II poll.

NKU will play a road doubleheader at Kent State at 2 p.m. Wednesday. The Norse will play host Lewis this weekend in a four-game series. The teams will begin at noon Saturday with a doubleheader.