DAYTON – The Wright State baseball team defeated Northern Kentucky 7-1 in the series opener Friday afternoon. The Raiders were led by senior catcher Boston Smith's two-home run day, extending his streak to four games.
 
Smith opened the scoring with a 397-foot homer to right field, driving in JP Peltier, who had doubled.
 
Wright State added three in the fourth, as Braylen Blomquist and Smith led off the inning with back-to-back singles. Luke Arnold reached on a shortstop throwing error, allowing Blomquist to score. Cam Gilkerson drew a walk, loading the bases before Hunter Warren was hit by a pitch to bring in a run. Patrick Fultz capped the inning with a sacrifice fly to left field, driving in Arnold.
 
WSU continued with two in the fifth, as Smith launched his second home run of the day, a two-run shot that drove in Blomquist, who had reached on a fielder's choice. NKU scored its lone run in the eighth on a solo home run to right field.
 
WSU is now 31-15 overall and 22-3 in Horizon League play. Griffen Paige earned the win, tossing six scoreless innings while allowing just one hit and striking out eight. The series continues Saturday, May 10 at 2:00 p.m.