Highland Heights, Ky. -- Northern Kentucky scored nine runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to overcome a three-run deficit and defeat the Youngstown State baseball team 14-8 in the Horizon League series opener on Thursday afternoon at the Bill Aker Baseball Complex.
The Penguins took a quick lead with a pair of runs in the top of the first before the Norse countered with four runs in the home half of the inning to move ahead 4-2. YSU posted three runs in the top of the second to regain a 5-4 edge before NKU evened the score with a single tally in the home half of the inning. The Guins scored the next three runs to take an 8-5 lead before the Norse exploded to score nine runs in the sixth to gain control of the contest.
Kyle Fossum went 3-for-4 with a double, two home runs, four RBIs and three runs scored while matching the Horizon League's single-season home run record. The senior became just the third player in HL history to record 22 home runs in a campaign, joining Cleveland State's Jeff Haase in 2000 and Northern Kentucky's Liam McFadden-Ackman in 2024.
Eli Brown went 2-for-4 with a triple and two runs scored while Tommy Rover was 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI. Brady Shannon and Cole Smith each added solo home runs as the Penguins and Norse finished even in the hit column with 11 apiece.
YSU starter Mitchell Seymour allowed four runs on three hits while recording one out. Braden Gebhardt was responsible for one unearned run while scattering four hits and striking out six batters over 4.2 strong innings of relief. Harun Pelja and Tyler Heflin each surrendered three runs during NKU's nine-run sixth inning while Phil Brennaman allowed three runs on four hits with three punchouts over three innings on the mound.
The Penguins got on the board immediately with a pair of runs in the top of the first inning. Fossum hit a leadoff double and Rover followed with an RBI double to left center. Rover then scored from third when Garrett Cutting grounded into a double play to give YSU a 2-0 lead.
The Norse responded with four runs in the bottom half of the first to move in front. Tyler Shaneyfelt hit a leadoff solo home run to left field before Gabe Miranda hit a one-out solo homer to right field. Sam Bond walked, advanced to third on a double by Josh Williams and scored on an RBI single from Jake Paulick. Williams was able to score from third base after Paulick stole second to give NKU a 4-2 edge.
YSU regained a 5-4 lead with three runs in the top of the second inning. Shannon led off the inning with a solo home run to left field before Brown reached with a one-out single. Fossum followed with a towering two-run blast to left field to put the Penguins back in front.
Northern Kentucky pushed across a single run in the home half of the second inning to even the score at 5-5. Shaneyfelt reached on an infield single, advanced to second on a throwing error and scored on Miranda's two-out RBI single through the left side.
The Penguins went back ahead 7-5 in the top of the fourth as Brown hit a one-out triple and Fossum followed with his second-two run homer of the game. Smith led off the top of the fifth with a solo blast to push YSU's advantage to 8-5.
The Norse erupted for nine runs on two hits and three errors in the bottom of the sixth to regain a 14-8 lead. After NKU scored three times to tie the game at 8-8, Paulick put the Norse in front with a two-run single. Shaneyfelt added a two-run single during NKU's rally, and he scored the final run of the inning when Mark Nowak reached on a fielding error.
NKU starter Conner Linn permitted five runs on six hits in 1.1 innings of work. Kaden Echeman was responsible for three runs on five hits with seven strikeouts over 4.2 innings out of the bullpen to earn the win while Logan Wilson came on to toss three scoreless innings of relief to collect the save.
Shaneyfelt finished the game 4-for-6 with a home run, three RBIs and four runs scored to lead Northern Kentucky offensively.
The Penguins and Norse will continue their three-game Horizon League series on Friday. First pitch from the Bill Aker Baseball Complex is scheduled for 1 p.m.
