Spurlin drives in a pair of runs, but NKU swamped by Eastern Kentucky’s early offensive explosion


Eastern Kentucky scored 11 runs in the first two innings as the Colonels handed Northern Kentucky University a 15-4 defeat on Tuesday night in non-conference baseball action.

Kenny Hostrander went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored to lead EKU (8-16), while Doug Teegarden finished 2-for-4 from the plate and scored three times. Shea Sullivan, Mandy Alvarez and Ben Fischer each recorded two-hit days for the Colonels as well. TJ Alas drove in a game-high four runs, while Alvarez added three RBIs to his season total.

Matt Lynch (1-0) allowed four runs on 10 hits in his first victory of the season for EKU. He struck out four NKU batters and walked just one in 7.2 innings on the mound. Taylor Blair closed out the game for the Colonels, giving up just one hit and walking one.

EKU struck for six runs in the first inning to take the early lead. Sullivan drew a lead-off walk and stole second. Mandy Alvarez hit a one-out single to right-center field before the Colonels recorded three consecutive doubles from Kyle Nowlin, Fischer and Luke Wurzelbacher to take a 4-0 advantage.

Eastern Kentucky scored 11 runs in the first two innings Tuesday to overpower NKU, 15-4 (NKU Athletics Photo)
Eastern Kentucky scored 11 runs in the first two innings Tuesday to overpower NKU, 15-4 (NKU Athletics Photo)

Teegarden singled to center field to send Wurzelbacher to third before a sacrifice fly from Brendan Cutting allowed Wurzelbacher to come home. Hostrander followed with a single up the middle, and Sullivan singled through the left side in his second at-bat of the frame to score Teegarden for a 6-0 lead, forcing an NKU pitching change.

The second inning began similarly for EKU as Nowlin was walked to start the frame. He advanced to second on a wild pitch before Fisher drew a walk, and both runners stole the next base to move forward on the base path. Wurzelbacher was hit by an Adam Jafine pitch to load the bases, and Teegarden walked to allow Nowlin to come home and put the Colonels ahead, 7-0.

After a Norse pitching change, Tyler Miller struck out Cutting for the first out of the inning. Hostrander hit an infield single to again load the bases, and TJ Atlas walked in the eighth run of the game for EKU in the next at-bat. An Alvarez two-run single to center field extended the Colonels advantage to 11-0.

NKU (9-15) got on the scoreboard in the top of the third. Kyle Colletta recorded a one-out single to left field, and Cody Kuzniczci was hit by a pitch to reach base. A ground out by Trey Ganns sent Kuzniczci to second and Colletta to third before Logan Spurlin doubled to center field, scoring Colletta and Kuzniczci, to cut the Norse deficit to 11-2.

Conor Ledger, Caleb Lonkard and Cole Bauml strung together three straight singles, with Bauml’s shot thought the right side bringing Ledger home to pull NKU to within 11-3. Lonkard came home to score on the next play, which saw Colletta reach base on a fielder’s choice and Bauml out at second.

The Colonels added four more runs in the bottom of the eighth inning for the final margin of the game.

Spurlin paced the Norse offense, going 2-for-4 from the plate with the lone NKU double of the night, and he drove in a pair of runs. Bauml and Colletta recorded the other two RBIs for the Norse, who collected 11 hits and left eight base runners stranded.

Zac Edwards (0-1) recorded just one out in his first start for NKU, surrendering six runs on seven hits. Nick Beard and Kevin Herren each posted scoreless innings of relief and gave up just two hits apiece as Herren recorded four strikeouts. Aric Harris pitched a perfect seventh inning and struck out two batters.

NKU opens Atlantic Sun Conference action on Thursday as the Norse travel to Jacksonville, Florida, for a three-game series against North Florida. First pitch for Thursday and Friday is set for 6 p.m., while Saturday’s start time has been moved up to 11:30 a.m.

Links to live stats and John Asalon’s audio broadcast are available at NKUNorse.com. Thursday’s contest will be available on ASun.TV.

From NKU Athletics


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