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Game 2 Box / Game 2 Box (PDF)

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – After surrendering just six runs last weekend in four games at Bellarmine, Lewis pitchers continued to find success on Saturday afternoon against Northern Kentucky at Brennan Field. The Flyers split a doubleheader with the Norse on Saturday, dropping game one 2-1 and winning game two by the identical score.

Northern Kentucky scored their only run of game two in the third inning. Zac Asman walked, advanced to third on a single and scored on sacrifice fly. It stayed 1-0 until the fifth inning. With runners on first and third and one out, senior Mike Vucsko (Evergreen Park, Ill./Marist) (Evergreen Park, Ill./Marist) fouled off multiple pitches before lining a single just past the Northern Kentucky first baseman into right field to score senior Tyler Newsome (Palos Heights, Ill./Marist) (Palos Heights, Ill./Marist/South Suburban CC). Sophomore Brian Norwood (Medinah, Ill./Lake Park) (Medinah, Ill./Lake Park) went from first to third on the play. Norwood then scored on a squeeze bunt by senior Ryan Koerner (LeRoy, Ill./LeRoy) (LeRoy, Ill./LeRoy).

“Koerner was the right guy at the right spot,” head coach Tim McDonough said of the bunt. “Ryan would tell you it wasn't the greatest bunt but it got the job done.”

The 2-1 advantage would hold up the rest of the way thanks to the Lewis pitching staff. Junior Pat Lahey (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) started and went 6.0 innings, allowing just the one run on four hits and one walk with five strikeouts. However he ran into trouble in the seventh, allowing two singles to lead off the inning. He was lifted for sophomore closer Matt Frahm (McLean, Ill./Olympia) (McLean, Ill./Olympia) who earned a pop up, a strikeout and a fly out to end the game.

“Matt's proven he can enter with runners on and get out of the inning,” McDonough said. “That's the true definition of a closer.”

Frahm now has seven saves on the season. Lahey moves his record to 7-3. The win halted Northern Kentucky's win streak which was extended to eight games after their game one win. The Norse road their starting pitcher Dave Middledorf. The senior hurler struck out 15 Flyers in the 9.0 inning complete game.

Lewis' only run of the game came in the fourth inning when junior Andrew Brauer (Bolingbrook, Ill./Montini) (Bolingbrook, Ill./Montini/College of DuPage) singled up the middle to score senior Richard Forkin (Orland Park, Ill./Lockport) (Orland Park, Ill./Lockport) who had doubled to lead off the inning. The tally tied the score at one, but it didn't stay tied for long. Northern Kentucky added a run in the fifth to take a 2-1 lead they would hold the rest of the way.

Freshman Tom Helwich (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln Way Central) (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln Way Central) went 7.0 innings, allowing two runs on nine hits and three walks. Junior Drew Hicks (Pekin, Ill./Pekin) (Pekin, Ill. / Pekin) pitched two scoreless innings of relief.

“All four guys (Helwich, Hicks, Lahey and Frahm) threw strikes and competed today,” McDonough said. “When you throw like that and play the defense we've played the last six games you're going to give yourself a chance.”

Lewis didn't commit an error on Saturday. Over the last six games Lewis has committed just two errors while their opponents have recorded 10.

Northern Kentucky is now 27-18 (17-13 Great Lakes Valley Conference). Lewis is 21-14 (14-10 GLVC). The Flyers and Norse are back in action on Sunday at Brennan Field with a doubleheader starting at noon. It will be Senior Day for the Lewis baseball program.