---Pat Muth (2) turns a double play in Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader against Urbana.

By Mike Anderson, NKU Sports Information

Game 1 box score | Game 2 box score

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - A clutch pinch-hit RBI-single by Jason Cisper helped the Northern Kentucky University baseball team salvage a split in Tuesday's doubleheader against Urbana. The Norse took Game 2 by a 3-1 score after dropping a 2-1 decision in 11 innings.

Cisper drove in Brian Erie, who singled on a shot back up the middle off Urbana pitcher Troy Mercer and reached second on a throwing error, to knot the score at one. Evan McDole gave the Norse the lead later in the inning on a sacrifice fly to score Pat Muth.

Back-to-back doubles by Jack Ambrose and Shannon McCormick gave the Norse a two-run cushion to which the Blue Knights could not respond.

Brandon Slusher (1-1) pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing just one run on five hits while striking out two in the win. Andy Heston fanned two batters in the final four outs to record his first collegiate save. Erie and Ambrose each went 2-for-3 from the plate.

The win was a bright spot after the Norse (15-10) stranded 14 runners in Game 1's 2-1 loss.

The teams traded runs in the fourth inning, with Jordan Baker for Urbana and Kevin Dusold for NKU each driving in runs on singles.

The Norse had several chances in the late stages of the game, leaving the bases loaded in the seventh and ninth innings.

The Blue Knights took the lead in the 11th inning when Matt Netherly struck out but reached first base when the third strike was dropped and the throw to first missed the mark and sailed up the line, allowing Andrew Harrell to score.

Brett Hofmann's two-out double in the bottom of the 11th gave the Norse a chance, but Evan McDole fouled out to end the game.

Matt Winterhalter (2-2) took the loss, striking out three in two innings of relief. Hofmann and Muth each had a pair of hits in the game.

The Norse close out their 10-game home stand this weekend with a four-game conference series against Wisconsin-Parkside. First pitch on Saturday and Sunday is scheduled for noon.