SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Northern Kentucky University Norse baseball wrapped up the regular season on Saturday, taking on USC Upstate after falling to the Spartans a day prior. The Norse trailed early before taking a lead halfway through, but scored just one run over the final four in a 10-9 loss.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Northern Kentucky – 9, USC Upstate – 10
LOCATION: Harley Park – Spartanburg, S.C.
RECORDS: NKU: 25-28 | UPST: 29-27 

GAME SUMMARY
– USC Upstate took a first-inning lead and expanded on it in the second and third to go up 6-3 after three. Northern Kentucky bounced back with a five-run fifth inning, headlined by a two-run, lead-taking double from Josh Williams. Norse pitchers gave up four runs in the sixth, though, as the Spartans took a 10-8 lead that NKU couldn't come back from. 

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN
–The Norse used five pitchers in the Contest, as MJ Castaneda picked up the loss after allowing 2 runs in 1.2 innings. Ryan Gill allowed two runs in 2.2 innings, and Tannis Lange closed the game with one and a third perfect frames. 
– Northern Kentucky recorded 13 hits in 40 at-bats, including five extra-base hits and seven walks. 
– Three of those extra-base hits came off the bat of Josh Williams, who batted 5-5 with three RBI, two doubles, a home run, and a walk. 
– Mark Nowak hit 3-5 with a double, scoring two runs and stealing two bases. 
– Pierce Bauerle batted 2-4 with a solo home run and a walk. 

UP NEXT
NKU opens Horizon League Championship play on Thursday, taking on 2-seed Milwaukee at 11 AM in Dayton. 

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