DE PERE – St. Norbert College scored five times in the fifth inning to break open a tie game, and it was the difference in defeating Lakeland University 6-1 in a single nine-inning non-conference baseball game Tuesday afternoon.

The one explosive inning was the difference in a game otherwise dominated by pitching, but the Muskies were defeated in their return to the field. Lakeland was playing for the first time after a 16-day layoff following its spring break trip to Florida.

The Muskies (3-7 overall) were held to six hits, including two over the final five innings, but also held the Green Knights to five hits. Lakeland also had the lead first, scoring a run in the fourth when Connor Hilburn (So.-Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) singled to score Drew Richard (Jr.-Kieler, Wis.) for a 1-0 lead in the fourth.

The team's best chance for more runs came in that fourth, but the Muskies were only able to turn four hits into a single run. Lakeland had the bases loaded with one out and one run in, but a strikeout, fielder's choice force out at home and another strikeout ended the threat.

St. Norbert then scored a run in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game, and then scored five times in the bottom of the fifth in taking the lead. The Green Knights batted around but had just two hits in the frame, taking advantage of three walks, a hit batsman and an error in taking the 6-1 lead.

Richard had two of Lakeland's six hits to lead the team at the plate. Chris Lilly (Fr.-Phillipsburg, N.J.) was one of four Muskies pitchers to pitch and took the loss, allowing five runs (four earned) in an inning. Michael Austin (Fr.-Glendale, Ariz.) had the best performance on the staff with three hitless innings where he struck out three.

Lakeland is scheduled to be back in action Friday to host Northland College for a doubleheader and its home opener beginning at 11 a.m.