UMSL Splits Again at Northern Kentucky

Rivermen Win Second Game 8-2

Highland Heights, Ky. – The UMSL baseball team settled for another split in a doubleheader at Northern Kentucky. The Rivermen dropped the opening game 9-2, but bounced back in the second game to win 8-2 in GLVC action.

In the opening game, both teams got on the board with single runs in the first inning, UMSL getting its run on an RBI double from Scott Sanders (St. Louis, Mo./Parkway North). Northern Kentucky broke the tie in the third with one run in the bottom half of the inning before UMSL came right back with a run of their own on an RBI double by Pat McNichols (St. Louis, Mo./Parkway South) in the top of the fourth to tie the game at 2-2 The Norse then erupted for four big runs in the bottom of the fifth and added three more in the sixth inning for the 9-2 win. Jonathan Mercer (Sullivan, Mo./Sullivan) had two hits in the game for UMSL and Scott Davis (High Ridge, Mo./Northwest) was 2-for-2 with one run scored. UMSL starter Josh Morgan (St. Louis, Mo./Rosary) took the loss, going 5.1 innings and giving up seven runs on eight hits and struck out far as he falls to 3-1 on the year.

UMSL had to come from behind early in the second game as NKU got two unearned runs in the bottom of the first off UMSL starter Mike Lantzy (St. Louis, Mo./Parkway North). The Rivermen regained the lead in the third inning with three runs in the top half of the inning, all with two outs. Jonathan Mercer started the scoring with a solo home run, his third of the season. Logan Hughes (Branson, Mo./Walnut Shade) followed with a double and later scored on a wild pitch, and Colby Hughes (Branson, Mo./Walnut Shade) had an RBI double later in the inning for a 4-2 UMSL lead.

UMSL then added to their lead throughout the rest of the game, adding single runs in the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth innings. During those innings, UMSL got RBI singles from Jonathan Mercer, Logan Hughes and Tony Grana (Ballwin, Mo./Lafayette) to cruise to an 8-2 win. Scott Davis continued his hot hitting on the day by going 3-for-4 with two runs scored, giving him five hits in the doubleheader. Jonathan Mercer added two more hits in the second game along with two RBIs and his third home run of the year. Mike Lantzy picked up the win to improve to 1-0 on the year by going six innings and giving up two unearned runs on five hits and struck out four.

UMSL is now 10-13-1 on the season and is 5-5 in the GLVC. The Rivermen will in action again on Wednesday for a GLVC doubleheader at Southern Indiana beginning at 1 pm.