HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. –Northern Kentucky (13-16 Overall, 11-11 Horizon League) split a midday doubleheader against Youngstown State (17-17 Overall, 12-11 Horizon League) on Saturday afternoon. The two teams sit fourth and fifth in the Horizon League standings and are dueling for the final spot in the Horizon League Championship.
GAME 1: Youngstown State 1, Northern Kentucky 0
AT THE PLATE
- NKU was only able to walk away from game one with a pair of hits.
- Michael Hall (1-for-3) and Griffin Doersching (1-for-3), whose knock was a double, were the two Norse that finished with a hit. Both of them came in the first inning.
ON THE MOUND
- Kyle Klingenbeck started on the mound for the Norse, earning his eighth start in as many appearances.
- He saw 4.2 innings of action, fanning three Penguins and allowing a lone run on three hits.
- With a pair of outs in the fifth, Jon McGee was subbed on for Klingenbeck.
KEY MOMENTS
- The Norse showed promise early as they reached base twice in the first inning, but were unable to earn any runs.
- After a double down the right field line and a wild pitch that saw the runner advance to third, Youngstown State utilized an RBI sac fly to take the lead, 1-0, in the second inning.
GAME 2: Northern Kentucky 7, Youngstown State 2
AT THE PLATE
- Bacon (1-for-1) and Sam Hedges (1-for-3) each finished with a lone hit and were both walked twice. Both Norse also finished with two RBI and scored a combined four runs.
- Billy Marion (2-for-2) collected a pair of hits to go along with pair of walks and three RBI.
- Doersching (2-for-4) was walked twice, scored two runs and hit his 11th homerun on the year.
- Josh Romans provided Northern Kentucky with one run.
ON THE MOUND
- Noah Richardson was given the start for the backend of the doubleheader, his fourth in nine appearances.
- Richardson tossed all nine innings, earning his first complete game on the year.
- He fanned eight Penguins without issuing a free pass and allowing just two runs.
KEY MOMENTS
- With the bases loaded in the first, Marion was walked, allowing Hedges to score an unearned run.
- After Doersching advanced to third in the midst of a double play in the third, he was driven home on a RBI single down the left field line from Marion.
- Youngstown State responded in the fourth by way of an RBI that saw the batter reach on a fielder's choice.
- Doersching hit his 11th homerun of the year with a two-run shot to left center, making it 4-1 in favor of the Norse NKU.
- In the same inning, Marion singled to right field and earned an RBI as he drove in Bacon from third.
- The first Penguin batter of the sixth crushed a homer to left field.
- NKU responded in its half of the sixth with a pair of runs off a 2-RBI single up the middle from Bacon. Hedges and Romans were the two Norse to reach home. This made it 7-2, and sealed the game for the Norse.
- Northern Kentucky closes out the weekend with one final matchup against Youngstown State on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for noon.