Conor McGeehan

FLORENCE, Ky. - Northern Kentucky University literally walked away with a win in the opening game of Saturday’s doubleheader against Quincy at Champion Window Field.

NKU took advantage of three seventh-inning walks and a hit batsman by Quincy starting pitcher Brad Stone to rally for a 5-4 win over the Hawks. Stone’s final free pass - a bases-loaded walk to Kory Lonergan - forced in the winning run as NKU scored three times in the final inning to complete the comeback.

Quincy took a 4-2 lead into the final inning, but Conor McGeehan started the NKU comeback with a double to right field. Chris Nann followed with a walk, and Brian DeCarlo was inserted as a pinch-runner for Nann.

Matt Jones then reached on a fielder’s choice, loading the bases with no outs. Stone proceeded to walk Josh Moulton to force in one run and make it 4-3. After Jim Volpe struck out swinging, Stone hit Kenny Wilson with a pitch to drive in DeCarlo and tie the game at 4-all.

That brought Lonergan to the plate, and the junior shortstop walked to force in Jones with the winning run.

Jon Back went 2-for-3 with one run batted in to lead the Norse offense. Jones finished 1-for-2 and scored twice. Lonergan scored once and added an RBI for NKU, which is ranked 27th in the nation.

Paul David Patterson pitched the complete game for NKU. The senior right-hander scattered four hits and allowed only one earned run to improve to 3-2 for the season.

NKU won the second game, 4-0, as McGeehan went 3-for-4 and scored twice. The Norse took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning and added one run each in the seventh and eighth for the victory.

Brian Beltz and Steve Thomas combined for the shutout for NKU. Beltz went 6 2/3 innings and gave up four hits with two strikeouts to improve to 5-1. Thomas pitched 2 1/3 innings of relief with two strikeouts for his sixth save of the season.

NKU improved to 25-10-1 overall, 23-6-1 in the GLVC. Quincy dropped to 20-11 overall, 18-8 in the GLVC.

The teams will conclude the four-game series with another noon doubleheader on Sunday.

GAME 1 BOX SCORE

GAME 2 BOX SCORE