---Max Colaner pushes a bunt up the first-base side of the infield to score Pat Muth and give the Norse an extra-innings victory over Bellarmine.

By Mike Anderson, NKU Sports Information

Game 1 box score | Game 2 box score

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Just one inning after scoring the game-tying run, freshman Max Colaner pushed a bunt up the first base side to score Pat Muth and give Northern Kentucky University a walk-off 6-5 win over Bellarmine to cap a doubleheader sweep.

Colaner entered the game in the ninth inning as a pinch runner for Joe Mack, who singled to open the frame.  A sacrifice bunt by Jack Ambrose moved Colaner into scoring position for Jeff Bohlen, who hit a sharp grounder through the right side, past Bellarmine’s Patrick Brady, to bring the freshman in.

Muth then opened the bottom of the 10th inning with a single to center field, stealing second base when a pick off attempt by the Knights failed to put him out.  Kevin Dusold would follow up with an infield single to put runners at the corners for Colaner’s fateful single to end the game.

The fireworks capped a dramatic comeback that started in the bottom of the eighth when the Norse plated three runs to get back into what was then a 5-1 game.  Jake Morris laced an RBI-double to right center to draw first blood in the frame and knock Bellarmine starter Robert Reeves out of the game.  After Jason Cisper walked to load the bases, an RBI-ground out by Muth and a sacrifice fly by Evan McDole cut the deficit to one.

Seven of the NKU starters claimed two or more hits, with Jack Ambrose going 3-for-4 and Jeff Bohlen going 3-for-5 with a run and two RBIs.  All told, the Norse had 18 hits on the contest.

Matt Winterhalter (5-2) got the win in relief, going 2 2/3 innings while claiming two strikeouts.  Ryan Schmidt went seven strong innings in the start, fanning nine batters.

The win punctuated a successful day that began with NKU taking a 5-1 win over Bellarmine.

McDole’s two-run double put the finishing pieces on a four-run fourth inning for the Norse to put the game out of reach.  Jarrett Casey (2-2) was lights-out on the mound, striking out 10 batters in the complete-game victory.

Dusold and Brian Erie each had two hits on the game.

NKU is now 20-15 overall with a 9-3 mark in Great Lakes Valley Conference East division play.

The Norse hit the road to face Indianapolis next weekend in a Friday-Saturday series due to the Easter holiday.  First pitch each day is scheduled for noon.