Highland Heights, Ky. -- Northern Kentucky scored the final five runs of the game to rally for a 5-4 walk-off win in 10 innings over the Youngstown State baseball team on Saturday afternoon at the Bill Aker Baseball Complex.
The Penguins scored three times in the second inning and once in the third to jump ahead 4-0 before the Norse got on the scoreboard with a single run in the bottom of the fourth. NKU used a three-run ninth inning to force extras before scoring the winning run in the bottom of the 10th to take a 2-0 series lead.
Luke Rossi went 3-for-4 at the plate with a double and an RBI while Nathan Beckley finished 2-for-3 with a double, a triple, two RBIs and two walks. Garrett Cutting added two hits for the Penguins while Brady Shannon singled, walked and scored a run.
Jack Messmore allowed one run on three hits with four strikeouts and three walks over six strong innings on the mound in his seventh start of the season. Bryce Palms and Sumner Estes each tossed a scoreless inning of relief before Banks Cox allowed runs on three walks in the ninth. Luke Zmolik, who recorded three strikeouts over 1.1 innings, took the loss after surrendering the winning run in the 10th.
The Penguins took an early lead with three runs on two hits in the top of the second inning. Rossi hit a leadoff single and scored on a sacrifice fly from Teddy Ruffner before Beckley delivered a two-out, two-run triple down the right field line.
YSU pushed its lead to 4-0 with a single tally on three consecutive base hits in the top of the third inning. Shannon hit a leadoff single, advanced to third on a single from Cutting and scored on Rossi's RBI single.
The Norse scored their first run on two hits in the bottom of the fourth inning to shave YSU's lead to 4-1. Pierce Bauerle drew a leadoff walk, advanced to second on an infield single from Josh Williams and scored on Marcus Harrison's RBI double.
Northern Kentucky evened the score to force extra innings for the second straight game in the series with three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning. NKU drew three straight walks to load the bases with nobody out. Zmolik struck out the first two batters he faced after replacing Cox on the mound for YSU. Jackson Wang brought home two runs with a single to right center before Nolan Sparks raced home from third on a wild pitch to tie the game at 4-4.
The Norse loaded the bases in the bottom of the 10th as Jake Paulick drew a leadoff walk, Williams singled through the ride side and Harrison reached with a bunt single. Mark Nowak followed with a sacrifice fly to deep center field that plated Paulick for the winning run.
NKU starter EJ Miramontes allowed four runs, one of which was earned, on six hits with five strikeouts over six innings. Gannon Wentz, Gerald Hanson and Jared Teke combined to limit YSU to just two hits over the final four frames. Teke was awarded the victory after tossing a scoreless top of the 10th inning.
Harrison paced the Norse offensively, going 3-for-3 with a double, an RBI and two walks.
The Penguins and Norse will conclude their three-game Horizon League series on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for noon at the Bill Aker Baseball Complex in Highland Heights, Ky.
