MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Northern Kentucky University baseball team scored three runs between the sixth and seventh innings on Friday night to come within two of Alabama State, but a four-run seventh frame from the Hornets put the game out of reach as the Norse fell, 9-3, at Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex.
Designated hitter
Will Haueter had a 3-for-4 day with a double while senior catcher
Logan Spurlin drove in two of NKU's three runs.
The Hornets (8-6) scored in clusters, jumping on the board in the top of the first when a two-out, two-RBI singled opened up an early 2-0 advantage.
Alabama State extended its lead to 5-0 through three innings before sophomore starter
Pat Kelley held the Hornets scoreless for the next three innings, allowing two hits in that span. The sophomore absorbed the loss after tossing 6.1 innings for the second-straight outing, tying a season-high for Norse pitchers.
While Kelley settled in, the Norse (4-8) offense came alive in the sixth when
Tito Montgomery led off the inning with an infield single. A hit by pitch and Hornet error put Montgomery and
Kyle Colletta in scoring position, setting the duo up to score on a Spurlin single.
The next frame featured a
Brad Bohlen triple and Montgomery RBI single to cut the Alabama State lead to 5-3. However, four ASU runs on three hits and a pair of NKU miscues in the bottom of the seventh sealed the Hornet victory.
Alabama State starter Joseph Camacho picked up the win after seven innings pitched with three runs, one earned and six strikeouts.
The four-game series continues on Saturday with a 2 p.m. doubleheader at Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex.
NORSE NOTES:- With the help of Bohlen's triple in the seventh inning, the Norse have now launched a triple in each of the last three games. Meanwhile, Norse pitchers ended Alabama State's streak of nine-straight games with a home run.
- NKU was narrowly out-hit, 12-11, as it recorded its eighth-straight game with double figure hits.
- With a scoreless inning of work on Saturday, reliever Charlie Jerger has allowed just one run in his last five outings.