Tyler Miller (1-0) struck out four batters and allowed just one run on four hits in a complete-game effort to lead the Northern Kentucky University baseball team to a 3-1 victory over Maryville (Tenn.) College in non-conference action on Wednesday at the Bill Aker Baseball Complex.
Clark Pence finished 2-for-3 from the plate, scored once and drove in one run to lead the way for NKU, which improved to 11-21 overall, while Kyle Colletta went 2-for-3 with a stolen base. Quint Heady also posted a multi-hit game for the Norse, who recorded nine hits and left eight base runners stranded, going 2-for-4 with a run scored and one RBI.
Maryville took an early 1-0 lead when a Nick Dean double to right center allowed Andrew Henry, who drew a walk to lead off the game, to score in the first inning, but NKU answered in the bottom of the frame. Quint Heady singled before advancing to second on a fielding error by left fielder Chris Ervin. A one-out single up the middle from Cody Kuzniczci brought Heady home to bring the score even at 1-all.
The Norse took the lead in the bottom of the fifth. Clark Pence led off with a single to left field, and Dominic Mercurio recorded a one-out double to deep right field to send Pence to third. Heady followed with a single through the left side, and Pence came home for a 2-1 NKU advantage.
NKU looked to extend its lead in the sixth inning. Logan Spurlin drew a two-out walk, and Kyle Colletta followed with a single up the middle. Pence was hit by a pitch to load the bases, but the Norse recorded the final out of the frame before adding any runs to their total.
Spurlin sparked a two-out rally again in the eighth by sending a 1-0 pitch up the middle. Colletta then singled down the left-field line, and Ryan Hinz was sent in to replace Logan Spurlin on the base path. Pence added the insurance run with a single up the middle, plating Hinz for a 3-1 lead.
Dean, Andrew Henry, Zack Blonder and Evan Ezell recorded each of Maryville’s four hits as the Scots fell to 23-13 on the year. Lawson Wishard (3-5) took the loss for Maryville, surrendering two runs, one earned, on six hits. He struck out one batter and walked two in six innings of work, while Evan Heffner gave up one run on three hits in two innings of relief.
NKU begins a nine-game road trip with an Atlantic Sun Conference series at Stetson. First pitch for Friday’s opener from Melching Field at Conrad Park is set for 6:30 p.m., and Saturday’s matchup will start at 2 p.m.
The two teams will wrap up the series on Sunday at 1 p.m. Links to live stats and John Asalon’s audio broadcast are available at NKUNorse.com.
From NKU Athletics