OXFORD, Ala. — The Bellarmine University baseball team had a pair of home runs, but Northern Kentucky took control early in a series-clinching 12-5 win over the Knights on Saturday at Choccolocco Park.

Northern Kentucky (2-3) took the first two games of the series against Bellarmine (0-5). The Norse led 9-1 after three innings and amassed 12 hits overall, with seven of those being of the extra-base variety.

Junior designated hitter Brady Morse launched his first homer of the season on a two-run shot for Bellarmine. Freshman infielder Landon Akers went deep for the first time in his collegiate career on a solo blast. Akers also doubled while scoring three runs.

Four of Bellarmine's five hits went for extra bases. In addition to the aforementioned pair of homers and the triple, junior right fielder Joey Milto tripled.

Senior right-hander Mike Sokol struck out four in 2.0 innings of relief while senior right-hander Cooper Hellman tossed 1.0 scoreless inning of relief.

The teams will conclude the series at 1 p.m. (ET) Sunday.

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