Niles, Ohio -- Northern Kentucky scored five runs over its first two at bats and went on to defeat the Youngstown State baseball team 14-3 in game two of a three-game Horizon League series on Saturday afternoon at Eastwood Field.
The Norse led 5-1 after the top of the second inning and 6-3 at the end of the sixth. NKU added four runs in the top of the seventh to build a 10-3 advantage and held on to top the Guins for the second straight day and secure the series victory.
Kyle Fossum went 2-for-2 with a double, two walks and his league-leading 15th home run of the season. Northern Kentucky finished with a 9-3 edge in the hit column while drawing a total of 17 walks and stealing eight bases in the contest.
YSU starter JJ Tylicki allowed five runs, three of which were earned, on two hits and five walks over 1.2 innings in a losing effort. Sloan Ulrich was responsible for one run over four innings of relief while Colin Casteel surrendered three runs in one inning on the mound.
The Norse scored twice in the top of the first inning to take a 2-0 lead. Tyler Shaneyfelt drew a leadoff walk, stole second and scored on Logen Devenport's RBI double. Josh Williams then plated Devenport with a two-out RBI single to right field.
Fossum led off the home half of the first with his 15th home run of the season to cut NKU's lead in half.
Northern Kentucky pushed across three runs in the top of the second to increase its advantage. Three walks loaded the bases before a pair of runs were able to score on a failed pickoff attempt at second base. Devenport scored from third on a wild pitch to push NKU's lead to 5-1.
Youngstown State posted another single run in the bottom of the second as Nathan Beckley doubled and scored on a passed ball. The Penguins recorded another single tally in the bottom of the fourth to pull within 5-3. Jay Wrona drew a one-out walk and scored when Tommy Rover was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
The Norse notched a single run in the top of the sixth to push their lead to 6-3. Brennan Rowe drew a leadoff walk and came around to score on a sacrifice fly from Devenport. NKU's lead swelled to 8-3 in the top of the seventh on a two-out, two-run single by Shaneyfelt. Devenport added an RBI single while Sam Bond was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded for the final run of the frame.
Northern Kentucky scored two runs in the top of the eighth inning to lead 12-3. Nolan Sparks walked and scored on Marcus Harrison's RBI single while Harrison raced home on a sacrifice fly from Shaneyfelt. The Norse tacked on two runs in the top of the ninth for the final margin.
NKU starter Conner Linn allowed three runs on two hits and five walks over 3.2 innings in a no-decision. Logan Wilson tossed 3.1 scoreless innings of relief to earn the win.
Devenport went 3-for-4 with a double and three RBIs to lead the Norse offensively while Shaneyfelt also drove in three runs.
The Penguins and Norse will conclude their three-game Horizon League series on Sunday. First pitch at Eastwood Field is scheduled for 1 p.m.
