Jon Back bats against Saint Joseph’s

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Saint Joseph’s combined outstanding pitching and timely hitting Saturday to spoil Northern Kentucky University’s home opener and sweep a doubleheader from the Norse.

Scott Smolek’s two-run single in the fourth inning of the opener gave Saint Joseph’s a 2-1 lead, and the Pumas used the pitching of Mike Stitz and Adam Zimmerman to hold off the Norse, 2-1. Stitz allowed three hits and an unearned run in six innings to pick up the victory, while Zimmerman recorded the save after getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh.

NKU starter Derrik Moeves allowed five hits and two runs in seven innings on the mound. Moeves also struck out five batters and walked three.

NKU loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning. Kory Lonergan then lined a shot to left field that was caught by Bo Gum, who was playing shallow. Gum ended the game by firing a strike to second baseman Scott Gardner to double up NKU’s Matt Wagers, who broke from second on contact.

Alex Frank had two of NKU’s four hits in the opener.

In the second game, Saint Joseph’s Eric Fussell tossed a four-hit shutout as the Pumas completed the sweep with a 6-0 victory. Fussell also had six strikeouts and walked just one batter in nine innings.

NKU starter Paul David Patterson allowed five hits and four earned runs in 6 2/3 innings on the mound. Saint Joseph’s broke open a close game with three runs in the seventh and two in the ninth.

Gum was 2-for-4 and scored twice to spark the Saint Joseph’s attack. Jon Back was 2-for-4 to lead the NKU offense.

NKU dropped to 4-5 overall, 2-4 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Saint Joseph’s is 9-7 overall, 6-0 in the GLVC.

The two teams will complete the four-game series Sunday with another doubleheader. The first game - originally scheduled for noon - will now start at 10 a.m.