Jason Nintrup

O’FALLON, Mo. - Todd Lorenz came out of the bullpen and pitched 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief Friday night as Wisconsin-Parkside held off Northern Kentucky University, 2-1, in the second round of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament.

Lorenz entered the game with runners on first and third in the seventh inning. After Kory Lonergan stole second base to put two runners in scoring position, Lorenz proceeded to strike out both Conor McGeehan and Alex Frank to end the NKU scoring threat.

Lonergan had singled in Jason Nintrup earlier in the seventh for NKU’s only run. Nintrup opened the seventh inning with a double down the right-field line, and he advanced to third base on Jon Back’s single to right.

Josh Moulton hit a one-out double in the eighth inning for NKU, but the Norse were unable to plate the tying run. Lorenz retired the side in order in the ninth and picked up his 12th save of the season for second-seeded Wisconsin-Parkside, which improved to 39-15.

Back and McGeehan each had two hits to lead the NKU offense. Norse starter Rick Wood pitched 6 1/3 innings and allowed two runs on five hits. He also recorded three strikeouts.

NKU (31-25) will meet Bellarmine at 3 p.m. Saturday. The winner of that game will advance to another elimination contest at 6 p.m. Saturday.

NKU is the defending GLVC Tournament champion. The Norse also captured the GLVC Tournament championship in 2002.