HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky University Norse baseball took on Ohio in a midweek clash on Tuesday, looking to take down the Bobcats in their first matchup of the season. NKU took an early lead in the first on a grand slam from Landon Springmeyer, and a three-run bomb in the fifth from Pierce Bauerle ensured the Norse never trailed in an 11-8 win.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Northern Kentucky - 11, Ohio - 8
LOCATION: Bill Aker Baseball Complex - Highland Heights, Ky.
RECORDS: NKU: 16-19 | OU: 7-29

GAME SUMMARY
– Northern Kentucky opened the game with its first five batters getting on base, resulting in the Bobcat starting pitcher getting pulled before recording an out. RBI singles from Paulick and Harrison made it 2-0 before Springmeyer's bases-loaded jack broke the game open early. The Norse drew five walks in the first frame alone. On the other side of the ball, NKU allowed just one run in the first four innings, before the Bobcats showed some life with a four-spot in the fifth. Pierce Bauerle responded with a three-run shot in the bottom half of the frame, giving Northern Kentucky a five-run lead. NKU allowed three more Bobcat runs, but Shawn Parnell shut them down late to secure the midweek victory. 

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN
– Northern Kentucky threw eight pitchers in the contest, as Cody Little got the start and recorded a game-high four strikeouts over two innings while allowing one run. Gannon Wentz and Gerald Hanson each threw scoreless frames in the third and fourth, respectively. MJ Castaneda threw one and two-thirds with three strikeouts and earned the win, moving to 2-0 on the season, while Shawn Parnell earned a two-inning save as he faced the minimum six batters. 
– At the dish, the Norse finished 11-34 with nine walks and three HBPs. 
– Pierce Bauerle finished the day 2-4 with five RBI, two runs scored, a walk, and a three-run home run. 
– Landon Springmeyer finished 2-5 with a grand slam. 
– Mark Nowak did not get a hit in the game, but still scored three runs as he drew four walks from the leadoff spot, also stealing a pair of bases. 
– Ethan Thomas finished the day 2-4 with a double, a run scored, and a walk. 
– Jake Paulick went 2-4 with a pair of runs scored with an RBI. 

UP NEXT
NKU heads up to Milwaukee to open a three-game set with the Panthers on Thursday.

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