NKyTribune staff
Lucas Nasonti’s three-run homer highlighted a six-run sixth inning for Youngstown State on Sunday afternoon, and the Penguins cruised to a 10-3 victory over Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights.
Anthony Santoro went 3-for-4 with a homer and four runs batted in to lead Youngstown State, which improved to 17-32 overall. Santoro also scored three times as the Penguins upped their Horizon League record to 10-16 and won the rubber game of the weekend series.
NKU (14-34 overall, 9-18 Horizon league) held a 1-0 lead after five innings, but Youngstown State erupted for six runs in the top of the sixth to gain a 6-1 advantage. Nasonti’s three-run homer over the left-field fence capped the offensive outburst.
Youngstown State starter Kip DeShields went six innings and scattered five hits with five strikeouts. He allowed three runs (one earned) and walked four batters. Zack Minney pitched the final three innings and earned the save, allowing just one hit and striking out four.
Griffin Doersching was 2-for-3 and scored a run for NKU, while teammate Chad Roberts drove in a run and scored once. Doersching had tied an NKU record in Friday’s series opener with nine runs batted in. The freshman also smashed three homers in Friday’s opener, a 16-13 NKU victory.
Doersching went 8-for-12 (.667) in the weekend series against Youngstown State, with four home runs, 10 RBI and seven runs scored.
NKU plays at Xavier at 3 p.m. Tuesday. The Norse conclude regular-season play with a three-game weekend series at Wright State, beginning Friday at 6:30 p.m.