DAYTON, Ohio – Northern Kentucky starter Pat Kelley battled through a pitchers' duel on Sunday afternoon, holding Wright State scoreless through the first seven innings before the Raiders spoiled the shutout bid with four runs in the eighth inning to defeat the Norse, 4-3, at Nischwitz Stadium.
In the top of the ninth, Logan Spurlin singled to left field with two outs and the bases empty. Ganns followed up with another single and Mike Moffatt slapped an RBI double to bring NKU within one run. The Norse were unable to push another run across the plate as WSU (18-9, 7-2 Horizon League) held on for the win.
NKU (10-18, 1-8 Horizon League) got out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first when Spurlin sent the fourth pitch of the game over the left-field wall for a two-run homer.
Northern Kentucky's early lead stuck until the bottom of the eighth as a pitchers' duel ensued across the next seven innings.
Kelley tossed a career-high 7.2 innings with nine hits, four runs, a walk and three strikeouts. Only two runners advanced into scoring position against Kelley across the first seven innings, both on stolen bases.
Wright State starter Caleb Sampen came one out shy of a complete game, throwing 8.2 innings with six hits, three runs, no walks and seven strikeouts.
The Raiders took their lead in the bottom of the eighth on four hits including a trio of two-out RBI singles from Mitch Roman, Ryan Fucci and Daniel Arthur to win the game.
The Norse return to action for a pair of midweek games against Miami (Ohio). NKU hosts the RedHawks on Tuesday at 3 p.m. at Bill Aker Baseball Complex, then travels to Oxford, Ohio for a 6 p.m. tilt on Wednesday.
NORSE NOTES:
· Spurlin extended his hitting streak to 12 games and went 10-for-20 with three homers, eight RBI and four runs scored this week against Kentucky, Butler and Wright State.
· The Norse defense has turned six double plays across the last two games.
· Kelley has walked just three batters and struck out eight in his last 17.0 innings of work.
