Northern Kentucky University Norse baseball secured a series sweep over Youngstown State with a 5-4 victory on Mar. 29 at the Bill Aker Baseball Complex in Highland Heights, Kentucky. The win followed two extra-inning victories earlier in the weekend and brings Northern Kentucky’s record to 13-13 overall and 6-3 in Horizon League play.
The game was closely contested, with Youngstown State taking an early lead for the third straight game by scoring twice through a bases-loaded walk and a sacrifice fly. Northern Kentucky responded in the third inning as Pierce Bauerle and Josh Williams each delivered RBI singles to tie the score at two runs apiece. The teams continued to trade runs until the seventh inning, when NKU loaded the bases and capitalized on a wild pitch along with an RBI single to take control of the game.
On the mound, Elijah Green started for Northern Kentucky, pitching five innings while allowing two runs on two hits and four walks, striking out six batters. Tannis Lange took over for two innings, earning the win after giving up just one run. Gabe Stout pitched in relief during the eighth inning before Ryan Gill and Jared Teke closed out the ninth to secure NKU’s victory.
Offensively, Josh Williams led NKU by going 2-for-3 at bat with a walk, hit-by-pitch (HBP), one run batted in (RBI), and one run scored. Jackson Wang contributed with a double while Bauerle added another RBI. Ethan Thomas drove in what would become the winning run with an RBI single late in the game.
Looking ahead, Northern Kentucky will remain at home to face Bellarmine on Tuesday at 3 p.m.
