HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. — Northern Kentucky baseball came into Friday's series opener against Eastern Illinois on a high after Tuesday's upset win over Indiana, but the Norse were unable to overcome a big sixth inning from the Panthers.
The loss marked NKU's first at home this season.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Northern Kentucky - 5, Eastern Illinois - 8
LOCATION: Friendship Field (Highland Heights, Kentucky)
RECORDS: Northern Kentucky: 6-6 (0-0 Horizon) | Eastern Illinois: 3-7 (0-0 Horizon)
BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN - PITCHING
- Kaden Echeman started and took the loss for the Norse. Echeman threw four innings and allowed only two hits, but gave up four runs (two earned) and walked four batters. Echeman finished with five strikeouts.
- Jake Johnson and Gerald Hanson were bright spots out of the bullpen, combining for three shutout innings.
BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN - BATTING
- Jake Altman had a great day for the Norse, finishing 3-4 with an RBI.
- Gabe Miranda had a two-hit day, finishing 2-4 with a double and two RBI.
- Logen Devenport launched his third home run of the season as part of a 2-4 day.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- EIU plated a pair in the first before NKU's Gabe Miranda drove in a run in the home half.
- EIU then plated six unanswered runs to lead 8-1. The Norse scored four runs combined in the sixth and seventh, and brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth, but fell to the Panthers 8-5.
UP NEXT
- NKU looks to even the series on Saturday, with the first pitch set for 1 PM.
FOLLOW NKU NORSE BASEBALL
Get in the game and follow Northern Kentucky's NCAA Division I college baseball team through @NKUNorseBSB on X (Twitter), @NKUNorseBSB on Instagram, nkunorsebsb on Facebook and subscribe to the NKU Norse Youtube channel.
