Ganns’ first collegiate home run helps propel Northern Kentucky to 8-3 win over Morehead State


Trey Ganns went 2-for-2, drove in two runs and scored twice to lift the Northern Kentucky University baseball team to a 8-3 victory over in-state rival Morehead State on Tuesday at the Bill Aker Baseball Complex.

Ganns, who recorded his first collegiate home run in the bottom of the seventh inning, was one of four batters to collect two hits against the Eagles. Taylor Sears finished 2-for-3, while Caleb Lonkard went 2-for-4 for the Norse, who improved to 6-13 overall and collected 14 hits overall. Cole Bauml rounded out the two-hit batters, going 2-for-5 from the plate with a double.

Alex Bolia (2-0) earned the victory, pitching one inning of relief and giving up one run on two hits. Matt Jefferson went six innings in the start for the Norse, allowing two runs on seven hits. He struck out three batters and walked three. Cody Cooper threw two innings and struck out

Trey Ganns smacked his first collegiate home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to help the Norse knock off Morehead State (NKU Athletics Photo)
Trey Ganns smacked his first collegiate home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to help the Norse knock off Morehead State (NKU Athletics Photo)

After Morehead State left two base runners stranded in the top of the first, NKU took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the inning. Bauml recorded his 18th double of the season with the first pitch of the frame before advancing to third on a wild pitch. Cody Kuzniczci brought Bauml home with a one-out single to center field.

Kuzniczci proceeded to steal second and went to third on the second wild pitch of the inning as Ganns was walked. David Head followed with a first-pitch double to right field, allowing Kuzniczci to score and put the Norse ahead, 2-0, and Ganns was able to score on a Ryan LeFevers ground out.

The Eagles got a pair of runs back in the top of the third inning. Chris Robinson drew a one-out walk before Kane Sweeney flew out. Brandon Rawe sent a 2-2 pitch through the left side to send Robinson to second, and a Robby Spencer double down the left-field line to send Robinson home to bring Morehead State to within 3-1. Nick Newell then hit a short chopper to Ganns at first but no one was covering first as Rawe came home to score, cutting the NKU advantage to 3-2.

NKU looked to stretch its lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Clark Pence sent a hard shot off relief pitcher Aaron Goe’s glove for a single to lead off, and Taylor Sears sent a 2-1 shot into right center, sending Pence to second.

After a failed bunt attempt for the first out of the frame, an infield single from Bauml loaded the bases. However, the Eagles were able to escape the threat when Goe struck out Kyle Colletta and Kuzniczci flew to end the NKU half of the inning.

Morehead State tied the game in the top of the seventh when a Newell single allowed Rawe, who recorded a two-out double, to come home to bring the score to 3-all, but the Norse answered in the bottom of the inning. Colletta hit a lead-off double to spark the offense before Ganns sent a 2-1 pitch over the right-field wall to put NKU ahead, 5-3.

After an Eagles pitching change, Head was walked and went to second on a wild pitch. Ryan LeFevers followed with a walk before the Norse recorded their second out of the inning. Head and LeFevers each stole a base, and a throwing error by catcher Chris Robinson allowed Head to score for a 6-3 Norse advantage.

Anthony Vagnier took a walk and moved to third as Blake Smith’s attemped pick-off throw to first sailed over the first baseman’s head, and LeFevers took advantage of the error to give NKU a 7-3 lead.

The Norse added their final run of the game on an RBI single from Ryan Hinz, which allowed Logan Spurlin to score, for the final margin of the game.

Newell led the way for Morehead State, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and one double, while Spencer finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored and one double. Ryan Kent also recorded a two-hit day for the Eagles.

Jared Holloman (0-1) recorded just one out and gave up two runs on two hits in the loss for Morehead State. Starter Patrick McGuff pitched just 1.1 innings and gave up three runs on four hits with two strikeouts and one walk.

NKU returns to the Bill Aker Baseball Complex on Wednesday as the Norse welcome Wright State looking to avenge a 4-3 loss in Dayton, Ohio, one week ago. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. A link to live stats is available at nku.statbroadcast.com, and John Asalon’s audio broadcast can be found at NKUNorse.com.

From NKU Athletics


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