HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University baseball team begins the Horizon League portion of its schedule this weekend against Youngstown State. The series begins on Friday, with first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m. The games on Friday and Saturday will be broadcast on ESPN3, and all three games will have live stats.  
 
Northern Kentucky vs. Youngstown State
Friday, March 15 – 3:00 p.m. – Bill Aker Baseball Complex – ESPN3 | Live Stats
Saturday, March 16 – 1:00 p.m. – Bill Aker Baseball Complex – ESPN3 | Live Stats
Sunday, March 17 – 12 p.m. – Bill Aker Baseball Complex – Live Stats
 
SERIES HISTORY
NKU has an 11-6 lead in the series. The teams first met in 1977, with NKU picking up a 4-3 win in that matchup.
 
TAKING A LOOK AT THE NORSE
NKU is 1-12 on the year, and most recently fell to Miami (Ohio) on Wednesday. Freshman Griffin Kain leads the team with a .323 batting average. He has a double, three runs and two RBI. Noah Fisher is batting at a .261 clip with two doubles, two home runs, six runs scored and three RBI. Griffin Doersching leads the team with nine RBI. Last season, the Norse went 2-4 against Youngstown State. In the game against the Penguins on May 11, 2018, Doersching hit three home runs to help the Norse get a 16-13 victory. He finished the game 4-for-5 at the plate, with nine RBI and four runs scored.
 
SCOUTING YOUNGSTOWN STATE
Youngstown State is 1-14 this season, with the team most recently picking up its first win of the season against Pittsburgh on Wednesday by a final score of 4-2. As a team, YSU is hitting .180 and allowing opponents to hit for a .325 average. Phillip Glasser leads the team among qualified hitters with a .242 average. Trevor Wiersma and Blaze Glenn lead the team in RBI, as each has 11. Wiersma has hit four home runs on the year, and Glenn has added two homers.
 
On the mound, the Penguins have a 9.53 team ERA, while their opponents have sported a 2.17 ERA.
 
 
BOBBY FONG AWARD
The NKU baseball team was named the recipient of the Horizon League's Bobby Fong Award in 2018. The award encompasses the league's values of integrity, respect and stewardship and is presented to one current Horizon League student-athlete or team. The award is named for the late Dr. Bobby Fong, a former Butler University president who served on the Horizon League Board of Directors from 2001-2011. The NKU baseball team has historically been the leader of the athletic department in the area of community service and impact. The team participates in a number of volunteer opportunities throughout the Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati areas.
 
UP NEXT
The Norse travel to Ohio State on Tuesday, March 19. First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 p.m.