RICHMOND, Ky. — Northern Kentucky University Norse baseball took on Eastern Kentucky on Tuesday afternoon in its first midweek action of the 2026 season. After the Norse's opening series saw just 23 runs scored between both teams, the bats were out in full force on Tuesday as the Norse and Colonels combined for 27 runs. EKU came out on top, scoring five unanswered runs to end the game. 

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Northern Kentucky - 11, Eastern Kentucky – 16
LOCATION: Earle Combs Stadium – Richmond, Ky. 
RECORDS: Northern Kentucky: 1-3 (0-0 Horizon) | Eastern Kentucky: 2-2 (0-0 Southeastern)

GAME SUMMARY
– NKU opened up the scoring in the first on an Ethan Thomas sacrifice fly. Despite loading the bases with one out in the frame, the Norse only managed the one run in the first. EKU took a first-inning lead with on an RBI single and wild-pitch in the bottom half. Northern Kentucky's offense bounced back in the second, scoring four runs, with three of those being driven in on a monster home run from catcher Jake Paulick. But EKU bested the Norse in the second, scoring six in the bottom half of the frame to lead 8-5 after two. 
– The Colonels extended their lead in the fourth on a three-run homer, taking a six-run advantage into the fifth. Norse pitcher Carson French got put in a dangerous situation in the fifth, as EKU put runners on second and third with no outs, but he escaped with a pair of strikeouts and a flyout to end the frame. 
– Northern Kentucky battled back in the sixth to tie it up, as Jake Paulick and Alex Brazer hit a pair of two-out, three-run homers to draw the game even at eleven. The Colonels took the lead right back in the bottom half, scoring a pair on an RBI single. NKU nearly gave itself a chance to equalize, but a throwing error from pitcher Gabe Stout proved costly in the eighth as the Colonels netted three runs off that errant throw. EKU held on in the ninth with a one-two-three inning to close things out. 

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN
– The Norse threw nine different pitchers over eight innings, as Carson French picked up the loss despite leading the squad in strikeouts with a pair. Kyle Cortner was the only Norse to not allow a run while pitching at least one full inning. 
– Jake Paulick led the way for the Norse at the plate, going 2-4 with six RBIs, two homers, a walk, and a hit by pitch. 
– Alex Brazer delivered his first homer of the season, finishing 2-5 at the plate with three RBIs.
– No other Norse recorded multiple hits in the game, as NKU finished 10-35 at the plate with seven walks and four HBPs.

UP NEXT
NKU heads down to the Big Easy this weekend, taking on ULM, New Orleans, and Alabama State this week in New Orleans.

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