DAYTON – The Wright State baseball team fell short 8-5 to Northern Kentucky University on Thursday afternoon. The Raiders are now 30-21 overall and 19-9 in the Horizon League. The series will continue Friday, May 17 at 11:00 a.m.
Game 2 - Friday, May 17 - 11:00 a.m. - Live Stats
The Raiders finished with five runs on nine hits with four walks against their nine strikeouts. They were led by
Julian Greenwell's three hits, followed by
Patrick Fultz with two hits.
Drew Baker,
Jay Luikart,
Sammy Sass, and
Ben Vore each has one hit on the day. Their three extra-base hits were made up of two doubled by Greenwell and a homer by Baker.
The Raiders got off to a slow start, being in a five-run deficit after three innings, 6-1. The first run of the day came in the bottom of the first, as Greenwell reached on a first pitch double, advancing to third on a Sass fly, and scoring on a Luikart single. The Norse added six runs in the top of the second, recording two three-RBI homers. NKU added another run in the top of the fifth with an RBI-triple, 7-1.
After a hitless fourth and fifth inning, Wright State opened the bottom of the fifth with a Baker solo homer to left field, 7-2. The Norse responded with another RBI-triple in the top of the sixth. Wright State lowered the advantage with three runs in the top of the seventh. Fultz was the first to reach base, singling to left center. After reaching second on a Smith walk, both advanced on a wild pitch. Fultz scored on a Greenwell RBI ground out, and Smith on a Sass single. Sass advanced to second on a Luikart hit by pitch, scoring on a Vore RBI-single up the middle. The Raider pitching staff held the Norse scoreless though the following two innings, ending the day 8-5 NKU.
Starting pitcher
Jake Shirk (3-4) was charged with the loss after allowing six runs on six hits with one walk, striking out four batters.
Warren Hartzell closed the day, putting in three innings of work, allowing no runs, hits, or walks, striking out two batters.
NKU starting pitcher Ben Gerl (4-6) was awarded the win after putting in six and two third innings of work, allowing four runs on six hits with two walks and seven batters struck out. The Norse finished with eight runs on ten hits with two walks against their nine strikeouts. They were led by Treyvin Moss's four RBI on two hits, with one triple and a homer.
