HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky baseball program bounced back with a big 4-1 win over Youngstown State in a Horizon League contest at the Bill Aker Baseball Complex on Saturday afternoon.
With the victory, the Norse moved back to within a game of first place in the conference at 14-9 in Horizon play. NKU has just seven conference clashes left on the regular season schedule.
THE BASICS
FINAL: Northern Kentucky – 4, Youngstown State – 1 (9 innings)
LOCATION: Bill Aker Baseball Complex – Highland Heights, Kentucky
RECORDS: NKU 26-20 (14-9 HL), YSU 11-34 (8-15 HL)
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
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Logen Devenport was the hero yet again today with a 1-for-2 performance along with a game-best three RBI.
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Jake Paulick also drove in a run with a 1-for-3 outing.
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Tyler Shaneyfelt had a perfect game at the dish with a 3-for-3 effort that included a double and a run scored.
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Liam McFadden-Ackman drew two walks and came around to score each time he was on the bath paths. The standout senior moved up to second in the conference in runs scored (55) and continues to lead the Horizon in base on balls (49).
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Peyton Lane added a 1-for-1 outing with another run scored for NKU.
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Cleary Simpson (1-for-3) and
Brennan Rowe (1-for-2) also chipped in hits for the Norse.
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Tanner Gillis picked up the victory, his fifth of the season, with a quality start. He went six innings with seven strikeouts to go with just five hits and one earned run allowed. The Buffalo, New York native is now tied for the conference lead in wins (5) and has his name all over the Horizon pitching leader board.
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Nick McClanahan closed out the game to collect the save, his fourth of the year, with three shutout innings of relief. He posted four punch outs and allowed just a single hit. The senior closer is now tied for third in the conference in saves.
- It was the fourth time this season that the Norse have held an opponent to just a single run and the first since a 9-1 win over Milwaukee back on March 24.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Norse got on the board first in the bottom of the second with a RBI double down the left field line by Paulick that plated Shaneyfelt to give NKU the early 1-0 lead.
- Youngstown State tied the game right away with a run of its own in the top of the third to knot things at 1-1.
- Northern Kentucky retook the lead off a RBI sacrifice fly by Devenport that brought McFadden-Ackman around to score to make it a 2-1 game.
- Devenport stepped up again to give the Norse two insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth with a two-RBI double to push NKU's advantage to 4-1.
- McClanahan slammed the door in the top of the ninth to seal the 4-1 victory for the Norse.
NEXT UP
The Norse and Penguins will meet right back up for the rubber match on Sunday, May 5. First pitch is set for 12 PM ET and admission to the conference clash is free of charge.
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