HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY – The Wright State baseball team fell short to Northern Kentucky University 15-14 on Friday afternoon. The Raiders are now 18-15 overall and 8-5 in the Horizon League. The series will continue on Saturday, April 13 at 1:00 p.m. Fans can keep up with the action on ESPN+ or through live stats.
Game 2 - Saturday, April 13 - 1:00 p.m. - Watch - Live Stats
The Raiders finished with 14 runs on 13 hits with five walks against their nine strikeouts. Six Raiders recorded two hits on the day, coming from
Patrick Fultz,
Julian Greenwell,
Jay Luikart,
Andrew Patrick,
Sammy Sass, and
Boston Smith.
Carson Clark recorded one hit on the day. Wright State had nine extra-base hits, with two doubles by Greenwell, and one each from Fultz and Sass. Luikart led the team with two home runs, followed by Fultz, Sass, and Smith each recording one homer.
The Norse took an initial lead, adding three runs in the first three innings. Wright State added their first run in the third with an RBI double by Greenwell, allowing Fultz to score, followed by a Sass sacrifice fly sending
Carson Clark to score. The Raiders tied the score at three in the top of the fourth after Fultz reached on a fielding error for Patrick to score. The Norse regained their lead in the bottom of the fourth, but were put back in the deficit as Sass hit an RBI double to center in the top of the fifth, tying the game at four. The Raiders took a two-run advantage with a Luikart two-RBI homer, 6-4.
Wright State raised their advantage 7-4 in the sixth as Fultz added his first home run of the season. NKU took the Raider advantage to one, adding two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Wright State returned with four runs in the seventh, beginning with a Luikart solo homer. Smith followed homering to left center. With the bases loaded, Clark hit an RBI single to right field, sending Baker and Patrick to score, putting double-figure runs on the board, 11-6. NKU lowered the Raider's lead to one, also adding four runs in the seventh. Sass opened the eighth with a solo home run to right center for a 12-10 lead.
Keeping the game close to the final innings, the Norse tied the game at 12 in the bottom of the eighth. With the bases loaded, Sass recorded an RBI hit by pitch, followed by Luikart reaching on a fielder's choice for Clark to score. After scoring on a throwing error, the Norse ended the game with a walk-off two-RBI homer, 15-14.
Wes Earles (1-2) was charged with the loss after entering in the ninth and allowing the winning run. Starting pitcher
Jake Shirk put in five and two third innings of work, allowing six runs on eight hits with seven strikeouts.
Aaron Massie (3-2) earned the win after pitching the final two thirds of an inning, allowing no runs or hits and striking out one batter. The Norse finished with 15 runs on 17 hits against their ten strikeouts. They were led by Logen Davenport's three hits and four RBI, adding two home runs on the day, including the walk-off two-RBI homer.
