The Northern Kentucky Norse completed a three‑game sweep of Youngstown State at Bill Aker Baseball Complex, taking game one 7–6 in ten innings, game two 5–4 in another extra‑inning thriller, and closing out the series with a 5–4 victory in game three.
Game One
In game one, Youngstown State came out firing in the opening inning, as Brady Shannon launched a two‑run homer to left field to give the Penguins an early 2–0 advantage.
Shannon stayed hot in the third, driving a single into left‑center to plate another run and extend the lead to 3–0.
Northern Kentucky answered in the bottom half of the inning when Ethan Thomas sent a solo shot to left‑center, putting the Norse on the board at 3–1.
The Penguins kept the pressure on in the fourth. Misael Uriepero and Alex Jang each delivered RBI hits, stretching the Youngstown State lead to 5–1. One inning later, Shannon struck again — his second home run of the game — pushing the margin to 6–1.
NKU refused to fold. In the seventh, Landon Springmeyer delivered a two‑run homer to cut the deficit to 6–3. The Norse kept rolling in the eighth as Josh Williams blasted a two‑run shot to right, pulling NKU within one at 6–5. Later in the inning, Springmeyer lifted a sacrifice fly on a 3–2 count to bring home the tying run, making it 6–6.
In the tenth, Mark Nowak sparked the rally with a single to left. Springmeyer followed with a perfectly placed bunt to move him into scoring position. That set the stage for Alex Brazer, who lined a single into center field, allowing Nowak to score and completing NKU’s comeback victory, 7–6.
Game Two
In game two, both teams opened quietly in the first inning, but Youngstown State struck first in the second. Teddy Ruffner lifted a sacrifice fly to center to bring home the game’s first run, and Nathan Beckley followed with a triple down the right‑field line, driving in two more to give the Penguins a 3–0 lead.
Youngstown State kept rolling in the third as Luke Rossi singled to left‑center to push the margin to 4–0.
Northern Kentucky finally broke through in the fourth when Marcus Harrison doubled through the right side to plate a run and cut the deficit to 4–1.
The Norse saved their biggest punch for the ninth. With two runners aboard, Jackson Wang ripped a single into right‑center, driving in two and pulling NKU within 4–3. Moments later, Nolan Sparks raced home on a wild pitch to tie the game 4–4 and force extras.
In the tenth, Jake Paulick worked a walk on a full count, and Josh Williams followed with a single to right to move him into scoring position. Harrison then laid down a well‑executed bunt, advancing both runners. That set up Mark Nowak, who delivered a clutch sacrifice fly to center, bringing home Paulick and sealing NKU’s 5–4 walk‑off victory — and the series win over Youngstown State.
Game Three
Youngstown State threatened early in the series finale, loading the bases in the first inning. Brady Shannon drew a walk on a 3–2 count to bring in the game’s first run, and Garrett Cutting followed with a sacrifice fly to right, giving the Penguins a quick 2–0 lead.
Northern Kentucky answered in the third. Jackson Wang ripped a double to right field, and Pierce Bauerle followed with a single up the middle to plate NKU’s first run. Bauerle later advanced on a wild pitch, and Jake Paulick’s sacrifice fly to center brought him home to even the score 2–2.
The Norse grabbed their first lead in the sixth thanks to aggressive baserunning. Hunter Friedburg reached on a fielder’s choice, then stole both second and third. After Alex Brazer worked a full-count walk and stole second himself, another Youngstown State wild pitch allowed Friedburg to score, putting NKU ahead 3–2.
Youngstown State responded in the seventh. Misael Uriepero was hit by a pitch, Jack Carlson walked, and after a flyout moved Uriepero to third, a wild pitch from NKU allowed him to score and tie the game 3–3.
The Norse immediately punched back in the bottom half. Bauerle and Paulick were both hit by pitches, and Josh Williams laid down a bunt to move both runners into scoring position. Another YSU wild pitch brought Paulick home to reclaim the lead 4–3. Ethan Thomas then delivered a sharp single to right field, extending the advantage to 5–3.
The Penguins tightened things again in the eighth when Shannon was hit by a pitch and later scored on Ryan Schummer’s RBI single, cutting the deficit to 5–4.
Youngstown State made one final push in the ninth. Luke Rossi opened the inning with a double to center, with Jack Messmore entering to pinch run. But NKU’s defense held firm — a pair of fielder’s choices erased both runners, and with two outs, Brayden Kuriger’s flyout to center sealed the win and the series sweep for the Norse.
With the 5–4 victory, Northern Kentucky improves to 13–13 overall and 6–3 in Horizon League play.
The Norse return to Bill Aker Baseball Complex on Tuesday, March 31, to host the Bellarmine Knights. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
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