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| NORSE SWEEP TWO FROM INDY - April 22, 2006 |
NKU reaches 30-win
plateau for fifth time in last six years by sweeping twinbill |
FLORENCE, Ky. - Matt Wagers hit his second grand slam of the season to lead Northern Kentucky University to a 7-1 win over Indianapolis in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday. NKU completed the sweep in the nightcap by holding off Indianapolis, 5-4, at Champion Window Field. The Norse improved to 31-14-1 overall, 29-8-1 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. It marked the fifth time in the last six years NKU has reached the 30-win plateau. In the opener, NKU held a 2-0 lead going into the bottom of the fifth inning. The Norse loaded the bases for Wagers with two outs, and the junior right fielder launched a delivery from Nathan Kragel over the fence in left field to extend NKU’s lead to 6-0. It was the fourth home run of the season for Wagers, a graduate of Hamilton High School. Earlier this season, Wagers also connected for a grand slam against Grand Valley State. Wagers leads NKU with four homers and 35 runs batted in this season. Kory Lonergan went 3-for-4 and scored twice for NKU, while teammate Kenny Wilson was 2-for-3. Junior left-hander Josh Bruns went the distance and upped his record to 6-0 this spring. NKU built a 4-0 lead in the nightcap and held off a late Indianapolis rally for the win. Lonergan went 2-for-3, and Wilson added two hits. Matt Jones had a two-run double in the third inning for the Norse. Paul David Patterson pitched seven innings and earned the win. Steve Thomas came out of the bullpen and went 1 2/3 scoreless innings to pick up his eighth save of the season. NKU will wrap up its home season Sunday at noon against Indianapolis. Prior to Sunday’s opener, NKU will recognize its six seniors - Conor McGeehan, Thomas, Patterson, Joe Kendall, Jones and Chris Wilson - during Senior Day festivities. NKU is ranked No. 2 in the latest NCAA II North Central Region poll. Grand Valley State, which swept a doubleheader from NKU last week, is No. 1 in the poll. The top six teams in each region advance to the NCAA Division II Tournament May 18-21. |
