A nonprofit publication of the Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism

Illinois-Chicago completes series sweep of NKU with 11-2 win; Franklin defeats TMC twice


NKyTribune staff

The Illinois-Chicago baseball team completed a three-game series sweep of Northern Kentucky University on Sunday with an 11-2 victory at the Bill Aker Baseball Complex in Highland Heights.

Illinois-Chicago (20-13 overall, 8-7 Horizon League) pushed across 11 runs for the second consecutive game, bringing the team’s series total to 36. That is the most in a three-game road sweep since the Flames plated 38 runs in three games at Oakland on May 8-9, 2015.

Scott Ota was 2-for-6 with four runs batted in to lead Illinois-Chicago past NKU on Sunday. (Photo courtesy of UIC Athletics)

Scott Ota was 2-for-6 with four runs batted in to lead Illinois-Chicago, which pounded out 19 hits. Ota hammered a two-run triple in the fifth inning to extend Illinois-Chicago’s lead to 4-0, and he added a two-run homer in the sixth to give the Flames a 10-0 cushion.

The Flames carried a shutout into the bottom of the ninth, but NKU’s Chad Roberts smashed a two-run homer with one out to prevent the Norse from getting blanked in the series finale.

NKU dropped to 10-27 overall, 5-13 in the Horizon League. Illinois-Chicago is now 13-3 all-time against the Norse.

NKU plays host to Xavier on Tuesday at 3 p.m.

FRANKLIN SWEEPS TMC: Thomas More dropped both games of a non-conference doubleheader on Sunday at nationally ranked Franklin (Ind.) College.

The Grizzlies took the opener by a 10-9 score, and then completed the sweep with a 5-2 win in the nightcap. Franklin, which is ranked No. 22 nationally in the Division III poll, is now 28-2.

Thomas More dropped to 14-15.

Franklin owned a 10-5 lead after eight innings in the opener, but Thomas More rallied and plated four runs in the ninth. Blaise Ostertag smashed a three-run homer in the ninth for the Saints to make it a 10-8 game, and an RBI single by Brady Reynolds brought the visitors within 10-9.

Reliever Mitchell Caster recorded the final two outs to notch the save for Franklin, which extended its winning streak to eight.

In the nightcap, Franklin’s Brandt Pawley went 3-for-3 with two RBI as the Grizzlies completed the sweep. Franklin pitchers Ben Sprinkle and Jackson White combined to scatter eight hits.

Thomas More returns to the diamond on Tuesday when it travels to Lexington for a non-conference game against Transylvania. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.


Related Posts

Leave a Comment