HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky baseball program got its weekend started off on the right note as the Norse recorded a 11-2 win in their series opener against Western Illinois at the Bill Akers Baseball Complex on an overcast Friday afternoon.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Northern Kentucky – 11, Western Illinois – 2 (9 innings)
LOCATION: Bill Aker Complex – Highland Heights, Kentucky
RECORDS: NKU 5-8 (0-0 HL), Western Illinois 3-8 (0-0 OVC)
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
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Liam McFadden-Ackman put on an absolute show with a 3-for-4 day at the dish that included two home runs, six RBI and three runs scored to go with a base on balls.
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John Odom (1-for-3, one home run, one RBI, one run scored, one walk),
Logen Devenport (one RBI, one base on balls) and
Tyler Shaneyfelt (1-for-4, one RBI, one walk) combined for the rest of the NKU attack.
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Tanner Gillis picked up his second victory of the season as he went a strong 5.1 innings on the mound to go with seven strikeouts. He allowed just a single hit and two runs (both earned).
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Nick McClanahan (2.1 innings, three punch outs) and Howell Griffin (1.0 inning, one strikeout) combined for 3.1 shutout innings out of the pen to help seal the win.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Northern Kentucky jumped on Western Illinois early and often in this one as the Norse scored three runs in the bottom of the first and another in the bottom of the second to take a 4-0 lead.
- NKU extended its advantage to 6-0 with a two-run bottom of the fourth.
- Western Illinois scrapped across two runs in the top of the sixth but Northern Kentucky answered right back with a run in the bottom half of the frame and another four in the seventh to collect the 11-2 victory.
NEXT UP
The Norse and Leathernecks are right back to it with game two of the series set for Saturday, March 9 at the Bill Aker Baseball Complex. PLEASE NOTE: First pitch for the non-conference clash has been pushed to 2 PM ET due to inclement weather in the area.
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