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FLORENCE, Ky. - Nathan Jones was dominant on the mound Tuesday afternoon as Northern Kentucky University defeated Indianapolis in a crucial Great Lakes Valley Conference game. Jones allowed just two hits in 7 1/3 innings as NKU posted a 5-0 win over Indianapolis at Champion Window Field. The junior right-hander from Pendleton County High School struck out nine batters and evened his record at 4-4. NKU improved to 21-12 in the GLVC with the victory, and the Norse solidified their hold on fourth place in the league standings. The top six teams in the GLVC standings qualify for the league’s postseason event, which begins May 10 at Sauget, Ill. Kory Lonergan went 3-for-4 and drove in two runs to lead NKU, which scored twice in the first inning on an RBI single by Kevin Dusold and a RBI grounder by Evan McDole. NKU sealed the win by scoring three times in the fifth inning. Jones took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, but an infield single by Justin Russell spoiled the junior’s no-hit bid. Matt Wagers added three hits for the Norse offense, and Jake Shaffer collected two hits and score twice. Kevin Quick relieved Jones on the mound for the final 1 2/3 innings and helped preserve the shutout. NKU added a non-conference win over Indianapolis in the nightcap with a 7-0 decision. Wagers became NKU’s all-time career leader in games played with 221, and he also added a two-run homer to commemorate the milestone. The senior from Hamilton, Ohio, passed Jason Martin as the Norse’s all-time leader in that category. NKU plated three runs in the third inning to take control of the second game. Lonergan had an RBI double, while teammates Jon Back and Evan McDole each added run-scoring singles. That was all the support senior left-hander Brian Beltz would need against Indianapolis. Beltz blanked the Greyhounds and allowed just two hits in the route-going performance. NKU is 26-22 overall, and the Norse will conclude their home season this weekend with a three-game series against Missouri-Rolla. Those two teams will play a noon doubleheader Saturday, and a single game at noon Sunday. NKU will honor its 11 seniors - David Armstrong, Adam Bell, Beltz, Mark Bogenschutz, Josh Bruns, Lonergan, Matt Marksbury, Chris Nann, Greg Pass, Wagers, and Jim Volpe - and their families prior to Sunday’s game.
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