Eastern Kentucky University’s baseball team showcased a dominant performance, securing a resounding 12-5 victory over Marshall University on Tuesday at Earle Combs Stadium. With this impressive win, EKU advances their season record to 13-31, demonstrating their offensive prowess and defensive resilience on the diamond.
The Colonels wasted no time asserting their dominance, with Ron Franklin Jr. delivering a pivotal 3-run home run in the second inning to propel EKU to an early 4-0 lead. Franklin’s remarkable performance continued, marking his eighth home run in the last 11 games and contributing significantly to the team’s offensive onslaught.
EKU continued to build on their lead, with Colby Ott and Elijah Underhill adding RBI singles to extend the Colonels’ advantage to 6-0 after two innings. Hayden Duffield further bolstered EKU’s lead with a solo home run in the third inning, showcasing the team’s depth and offensive firepower.
Despite a brief resurgence from Marshall University, narrowing the gap to 8-2 with runs in the fourth and fifth innings, EKU responded decisively, tallying two more runs in the fifth inning courtesy of Conner Davis’ timely single down the left field line. Franklin once again demonstrated his offensive prowess, driving in his fifth run of the game with a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning to further extend EKU’s lead to 11-2.
Franklin’s offensive heroics continued in the eighth inning, as he notched his sixth RBI of the game with a fielder’s choice, further solidifying EKU’s commanding lead. His stellar performance, combined with notable contributions from Justin Carinci, who went 4-for-5 with three runs scored, and Hayden Duffield, who scored four runs and recorded three walks, propelled EKU to victory.
On the pitching front, Rese Brown delivered a solid start for EKU, allowing just two runs on three hits in five innings of work. His performance set the tone for EKU’s defensive resilience, effectively stifling Marshall’s offensive threats and contributing to the team’s overall success.
With this convincing win under their belts, EKU looks ahead to continue their momentum as they face Marshall in the second leg of their home-and-home series on Wednesday in Huntington. With their sights set on another victory, the Colonels are poised to maintain their winning ways and further solidify their position in collegiate baseball.
