In a hard-fought battle at Earle Combs Stadium, Eastern Kentucky University’s baseball team rallied from a nine-run deficit but ultimately fell short in a 9-7 loss to Northern Kentucky University on Tuesday.
Game Recap
Northern Kentucky surged to an early 9-0 lead, but Eastern Kentucky refused to back down. Ron Franklin Jr. sparked the Colonels’ comeback effort in the fifth inning with a monumental grand slam, extending his hitting streak to an impressive 16 games. Freshman catcher Silas Shaffer added to the momentum with a two-run homer, narrowing the gap to three runs.
Despite EKU’s resilience, the comeback bid fell just short, as they loaded the bases in the ninth inning but were unable to capitalize, with a double play ending the game.
Key Moments
The Norse capitalized on a commanding lead, highlighted by Tyler Shaneyfelt’s crucial two-run triple in the fifth inning that extended their advantage to nine runs.
Player Performances
Ron Franklin Jr. led the offensive charge for the Colonels, going 1-for-4 with a walk, a run, and an impressive five RBIs. Miguel Larreal contributed with two hits, two walks, and two runs scored, while Silas Shaffer showcased his talent with a 2-for-4 performance, adding a run and an RBI.
Pitching and Defensive Efforts
Despite a valiant pitching effort, with 16 strikeouts and only four walks, Eastern Kentucky was hindered by four errors in the field, leading to six unearned runs for Northern Kentucky.
Tyler Shaneyfelt stood out for NKU, finishing 2-for-5 with a run and two RBIs.
Upcoming Matches
With the regular season nearing its end, EKU will embark on its final Atlantic Sun Conference road series, facing Florida Gulf Coast starting Friday. The three-game series kicks off with game one scheduled for 6:30 p.m., as the Colonels aim to bounce back from Tuesday’s defeat and finish the season on a strong note.
