After knocking off Ohio 7–4 earlier in the week, Northern Kentucky returned to Highland Heights and carried that momentum straight into a dominant weekend performance. The Norse swept the Oakland Golden Grizzlies in a three‑game series, taking Game 1 in a 30–9 offensive explosion, cruising to a 10–0 run‑rule shutout in Game 2, and closing out the weekend with a steady 9–3 victory in Game 3 to complete the sweep.
Game 1
Northern Kentucky’s series opener against Oakland turned into a historic showcase of offensive firepower, as the Norse erupted for a Division I program‑record 30 runs in a seven‑inning run‑rule victory — surpassing their previous mark of 27 set in 2023. What began as a brief Oakland lead quickly transformed into one of the most dominant single‑game performances in NKU history.
Oakland opened the afternoon with a spark in the top of the first. After two quick strikeouts, Aiden Orr connected on a solo home run to left, giving the Golden Grizzlies a short‑lived 1–0 advantage. It would be the only moment of momentum they enjoyed.
NKU immediately seized control in the bottom half. Pierce Bauerle singled to left, and Josh Williams followed by driving a triple into the gap in center to tie the game. Marcus Harrison was hit by a pitch and stole second as Williams stole home, flipping the lead. Ethan Thomas doubled to score Harrison, and Mark Nowak capped the five‑run inning with a two‑run homer to left, giving the Norse a 5–1 lead and setting the tone for the offensive avalanche to come.
The second inning became one of the most overwhelming frames NKU has ever produced. Alex Brazer and Bauerle opened with singles before Jack Paulick doubled both runners’ home. Williams singled in Paulick; Harrison doubled to left to score Williams, and Nowak added another double to keep the pressure on. With the bases loaded, Hunter Friedburg was hit by a pitch to force in a run, and a wild pitch allowed Nowak to score. A pop‑up from Brazer brought home Springmeyer, and another walk to Bauerle set up Paulick to draw a walk of his own. A wild pitch scored Friedburg; Williams ripped a two‑run double to right, and Harrison delivered the exclamation point with a towering two‑run home run. By the time the inning ended, NKU had pushed its lead to 17–1.
Oakland attempted to respond in the third. Ben Clark doubled to left; Kyle Revere walked, and Nick Mardis singled to load the bases. Tony Konopiots singled to center to score two, and Lucus Day followed with a three‑run home run to cut the deficit to 17–6. It was the Golden Grizzlies’ lone surge of the day.
NKU answered immediately in the bottom of the third. Friedburg walked and stole second; Brazer was hit by a pitch, and Bauerle doubled to left to score Friedburg. After a pitching change, Williams doubled home two more runs; Harrison singled in Paulick, and Nowak singled to center to bring home Williams. A hit‑by‑pitch to Springmeyer loaded the bases, and another hit‑by‑pitch to Friedburg forced in a run, extending the lead to 24–6.
The Norse continued their relentless pace in the fourth. Williams doubled to left; Harrison walked, and Thomas smashed a two‑run double to center. Thomas advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a single from Springmeyer. Friedburg walked; Brazer singled home Springmeyer, and Krumins lifted a sacrifice fly to center to score Friedburg. After a walk to Sam Bond, Williams singled to load the bases, and Harrison drew a walk to force in NKU’s 30th run of the afternoon.
Oakland added a run in the fifth when Day walked, Griffith reached on an error, and Carter Hain was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Sam Patton walked to force in a run, and Clark reached on a fielder’s choice to bring home another.
The Golden Grizzlies added their final run in the seventh when Hain launched a solo home run to left, but the game ended after seven innings under the 10‑run rule.
By the end of the afternoon, NKU had delivered the most prolific offensive performance in its Division I era. Josh Williams authored a historic day, becoming the first Norse player ever to record six hits in a game while finishing 6‑for‑7 with six RBI, five runs scored, three doubles, a triple, and a stolen base. Harrison also tied the program record with five runs scored.
Logan Wilson earned the win with four innings of work, and Will Franklin allowed just one run over 2.2 innings to close out the 30–9 victory.
Game 2
Northern Kentucky carried the momentum of its record‑setting opener straight into Saturday afternoon, and from the first inning on, the Norse played like a team intent on securing the series before the weekend finale even arrived. Behind early power, disciplined at‑bats, and a dominant pitching performance, NKU rolled to a 10–0 run‑rule shutout that clinched the series in just seven innings.
The tone was set immediately in the bottom of the first. Pierce Bauerle worked a four‑pitch walk, and Jake Paulick followed with another free pass to put two aboard without Oakland recording an out. Marcus Harrison stepped in and wasted no time delivering the game’s first major blow, turning on a pitch and sending a three‑run home run soaring over the left‑field wall. In just a handful of pitches, NKU had seized a 3–0 lead and never looked back.
After a quiet second inning, the Norse added to their advantage in the third. Ethan Thomas led off the frame by driving a solo home run to left, extending the lead to 4–0 and continuing NKU’s weekend‑long display of power. Oakland’s pitching staff struggled to find answers, and the Norse continued to apply pressure with every trip through the order.
The fourth inning broke the game open. Bauerle singled to left to start the rally, and Paulick followed by crushing a two‑run home run to right, pushing the margin to 6–0. Josh Williams then reached on an infield single and immediately put his speed to work, stealing second and advancing to third on a throwing error. Harrison drew a walk and moved up on a wild pitch, and Mark Nowak lifted a sacrifice fly to center to bring home Williams. With Harrison now on third, Landon Springmeyer delivered the inning’s exclamation point — a towering two‑run home run to left that stretched the lead to 9–0 and left Oakland reeling.
NKU added its final run in the fifth after an Oakland pitching change. Alex Brazer singled to left, Paulick drew his second walk of the afternoon, and Williams ripped a double into right field to score Brazer and pushed the lead into double digits. It was more than enough support for a pitching staff that was in complete control from the opening pitch.
With NKU firmly in control and the lead well beyond the 10‑run threshold, the game was called after seven innings under the run‑rule, giving the Norse a dominant shutout victory and the series win.
On the mound, EJ Miramontes delivered one of his sharpest outings of the season. The right‑hander worked efficiently through four scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and one walk while keeping Oakland off balance with a steady mix of pitches. His command set the tone, and when he handed the ball to the bullpen, the Norse didn’t miss a beat.
Elijah Green took over in the fifth and was equally impressive. The freshman right‑hander scattered four hits across three shutout innings, striking out two and issuing no walks. His poise and efficiency earned him the first save of his career, and his performance ensured that Oakland never mounted a serious threat.
Game 3
Northern Kentucky closed out its dominant weekend with a poised and complete performance on Sunday afternoon, finishing off the sweep of Oakland with a 9–3 victory at Bill Aker Baseball Complex. Just as they had in the first two games, the Norse struck early, controlled the tempo, and never allowed the Golden Grizzlies to settle into the contest.
The bottom of the first inning set the tone once again. After Pierce Bauerle was hit by a pitch to open the frame, Jake Paulick wasted no time delivering the game’s first major swing. The sophomore turned on a pitch and launched a two‑run home run to left field, giving NKU an immediate 2–0 lead and continuing the weekend trend of early offensive pressure.
In the second, the Norse built another scoring opportunity. Landon Springmeyer singled to left‑center but was erased on a caught‑stealing attempt. NKU quickly rebuilt the threat as Hunter Friedburg and Alex Brazer drew back‑to‑back walks. Bauerle was hit by a pitch for the second straight inning, loading the bases with one out. Paulick stepped in again and delivered a sharp single to left, scoring both Friedburg and Brazer to extend the lead to 4–0. His four early RBI set the tone for another standout offensive performance.
NKU continued to add on in the third. Marcus Harrison opened the inning with a double into the left‑field corner, and after Ethan Thomas reached on a fielder’s choice, Mark Nowak lined a single to left to bring Harrison home. The RBI pushed the margin to 5–0 and kept the Norse firmly in control.
The fourth inning brought more of the same. Paulick singled to left for his third hit of the afternoon, and Josh Williams followed by driving a double into the left‑center gap to score him. After an Oakland pitching change, Harrison singled up the middle to plate Williams, stretching the lead to 7–0 and continuing NKU’s relentless offensive rhythm.
The Norse delivered their final blow in the fifth. Springmeyer worked a walk, and Peter Krumins executed a well‑placed bunt to move him into scoring position. With one out, Brazer stepped in and crushed a two‑run home run to right‑center, giving NKU a commanding 9–0 advantage and effectively putting the game out of reach.
Oakland finally broke through in the sixth inning. Ben Clark singled to right and later came around to score on a throwing error, trimming the deficit to 9–1. The Golden Grizzlies added two more in the seventh when Aiden Schuck singled, Tony Konopiots doubled him home, and Carter Haim followed with an RBI single to center. The rally cut the margin to 9–3, but it was the closest Oakland would come.
NKU’s pitching staff ensured the late push never became a threat. Starting pitcher Cody Little was outstanding, tossing five scoreless innings while allowing just two hits and one walk with two strikeouts. Though Tannis Lange surrendered three runs in the seventh, the bullpen steadied immediately afterward. Gannon Wentz fired two shutout innings, and Gabe Stout closed the ninth with a scoreless frame to secure the sweep.
With the series sweep, Northern Kentucky wrapped up a strong weekend and moved to 20–22 overall and 9–9 in Horizon League play. The Norse return to Bill Aker Baseball Complex on Tuesday at 3 p.m. to face Eastern Kentucky.
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