Week 8 Series Notes |
Atlantic Sun Weekly Release
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University baseball team welcomes its first Atlantic Sun Conference opponent to the Bill Aker Baseball Complex when the Norse host East Tennessee State in a three-game series this weekend.
First pitch for Friday's action is scheduled for 3 p.m., followed by a 1 p.m. start on Saturday. The two teams will conclude the series on Sunday, which is slated to begin at noon. Links for live stats and ASun.TV information will be available at NKUNorse.com.
NKU enters the weekend 4-24 overall and 1-5 in the A-Sun after earning a 10-9 victory over Ball State on Wednesday. The Cardinals held an 8-1 advantage after four innings, but the Norse scored two runs in the fifth and used a six-run sixth to regain the lead, which was captured by
Logan Spurlin's first collegiate grand slam.
Both teams added a run to their totals in the eighth inning, but NKU was able to hold on for the win.
Cody Cooper earned his first win of the season after pitching three innings of relief, and
Brett Loeding recorded his third save.
Spurlin finished 3-for-5 with five RBIs to lead the Norse offense, while
Conor Ledger went 2-for-4 and scored three times.
ABOUT EAST TENNESSEE STATE: The Buccaneers are 15-11 overall and 4-5 in the A-Sun after collecting their fourth shutout of the season with a 3-0 win over Tennessee Tech on Tuesday, rebounding from a 4-2 loss to Radford the day before.
Clinton Freeman leads the way offensively for the Bucs. He boasts a team-high a .382 batting average, nine doubles, three triples, seven home runs and 23 RBIs. He is tied for first in the league for home runs.
On the mound, right-hander Kerry Doane holds a 5-1 record with a 2.33 earned run average. He has struck out 29 batters and only walked seven over 58 innings of work. Doane has pitched five complete games, including two shutouts.
NKU/ETSU SERIES: The all-time series against NKU and ETSU is tied at one. Each team earned a victory in back-to-back games during the 1978 season. The Buccaneers took the first game by a 4-0 score, but the Norse bounced back with a 4-2 win in the second meeting.
COME-FROM-BEHIND VICTORIES: The Ball State victory marked the third time NKU has come from behind to defeat an opponent this season. The Norse overcame an early 3-0 deficit against Saint Louis on Feb. 22 before claiming a 5-3 victory in 14 innings. On March 1, NKU scored six runs in the ninth to defeat Texas State, 6-5.
Loeding has played a hand in each of the wins. He pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings against Saint Louis for his first victory of the season. He then retired the final three Texas State batters in order to earn his first save a week later. Loeding recorded the save on Wednesday after pitching the final two innings and only surrendering one hit.
BARK IN THE PARK: Fans are encouraged to bring their dogs along with them to the ballpark on Saturday as NKU hosts its “Bark in the Park” event. Custom NKU dog collars will be available for $10, along with hotdogs and drinks for $1. All proceeds benefit the Boone County Animal Shelter, who will have its Adoption Waggin' in attendance, and Queen City Greyhounds.
Fans are also encouraged to submit a photograph of their dog in NKU spirit gear on NKU's Facebook wall (http://www.facebook.com/NKUNORSE) by noon on April 6. Head coach
Todd Asalon's favorite photograph will win a free NKU dog collar.
