---Josh Blaum

By Mike Anderson, NKU Sports Information

Game 1 box score | Game 2 box score

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – The Northern Kentucky University baseball team ran its winning streak to seven after sweeping a doubleheader at Truman State by scores of 7-1 and 14-1.

Game 1 saw the Bulldogs get on the board first after Kevin Zukaitis roped a two-out single to right field to bring in Devon Myers for the early lead.

It was all the offense Truman State would get as Northern Kentucky responded with seven unanswered runs in the win. Two runs scored on misplays in the top of the fourth inning before Pat Muth cranked a home run to left field, his fourth of the season.

Jason Cisper launched a two-out bomb of his own in the fifth inning, putting a 1-0 pitch over the left center field wall to score Jack Ambrose, who had reached on an error one batter earlier. Back-to-back RBI-singles by Evan McDole and Kevin Dusold in the sixth inning provided the final score.

Andy Karpowicz (1-0) got the win in the start for NKU, scattering six hits over six innings of work while fanning three in the longest outing by an NKU pitcher this year. Andy Heston struck out one in a scoreless seventh of relief.

Muth ended the game 3-for-4, while Cisper claimed a 2-for-4 game with two RBIs.

The Bulldogs got on the offensive early again in Game 2 when Keaton Jones singled to bring in leadoff hitter Kenny Swanson. Again, it was the only offense that Truman State would muster.

Max Colaner got the Norse on the board with an answer in the top of the second, lacing a two-out, two-run single to left field to give the Norse the lead for good. Colaner would claim another RBI in the fourth on a drive to center field that brought in Cisper, who had singled to open the frame. Jake Morris later scored on a throwing error, while Colaner came around on Robby Liller’s groundout to give NKU a resounding 5-1 lead.

Not content, the NKU offense continued to pour it on with back-to-back home runs from Brett Hofmann and Evan McDole to key a four-run fifth inning. Five more would cross in the sixth off RBIs from Jeff Bohlen, Colaner, Liller and Hofmann.

The lead proved to be plenty for NKU hurler Josh Blaum (1-0), who picked up the win in his first career start. Blaum gave up just two hits and struck out two in five innings of work while Jimmy Farr fanned three in two innings of mop-up work.

Northern Kentucky (10-5) continues their trip out west on Friday, when the Norse open Great Lakes Valley Conference play in a four-game series against Drury. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.