DAYTON – The Wright State baseball team fell to Northern Kentucky University, 8-2, on Friday afternoon. The Raiders are now 30-22 overall and 19-10 in the Horizon League. They will conclude the series on Saturday, May 18 at 1:00 p.m. Fans are encouraged to arrive early for Senior Day recognitions at 12:40 p.m.
Game 3 - Saturday, May 18 - 1:00 p.m. - Live Stats | Senior Day
The Raiders finished with two runs on five hits with one walk against their ten strikeouts. They were led by
Julian Greenwell's three hits, followed by
Luke Arnold and
Jay Luikart both recording one hit. Wright State had three-extra base hits on the day, with a double from Arnold, and two homers, one each from Greenwell and Luikart.
Wright State was the first to score, adding both their runs in the bottom of the first. Being the first Raider at bat, Greenwell homered to center field to add the first run of the day. Luikart followed with an opposite-field, first-pitch bomb, 2-0. Arnold reached base on a double to left field in the bottom of the second but was unable to score. Greenwell reached base two more times on the day, first in the top of the third on a single to right field, advancing to second on a stolen base, and to third on a Luikart ground out. He reached a third time on another single to right field in the bottom of the fifth. Patrick reached base once on a walk in the bottom of the seventh.
The Raider pitching staff held NKU scoreless through the third, but the Norse took a two-run lead with four runs in the top of the fourth, scoring on an error, fielder's choice, and with a two-RBI single. They raised their advantage to six adding another four runs in the top of the eighth, with a two-RBI double, and two RBI-singles.
Starting pitcher
Garret Simpson (4-2) was charged with the loss after allowing four runs, two earned, on four hits with three walks and three batters struck out in three and two third innings on the mound.
Garrett Peters put in four innings of work, allowing four runs on five hits with one walk and two batters struck out.
Joey Valentine closed the day allowing no runs, hits, or walks, striking out two batters.
Norse starter Tanner Gillis (7-2) was awarded the win, allowing only two runs on five hits with four batters struck out in six innings of work. Aaron Boster was awarded the win after pitching the final three innings, allowing no runs or hits with one walk, and six strikeouts. NKU ended the day with eight runs on 11 hits with four walks against their eight strikeouts. They were led by Cleary Simpson's three hits, tallying two RBI.
