The Norse begin their season on Friday as they look to build off of their historic run last year.
The team compiled 35 wins last season as they went on to win the Horizon League championship and advanced to the NCAA tournament for the first time in program history. The Norse also led the NCAA Division I in triples with 33. They were fifth in scoring with 9.2 runs per game and fifth in on-base percentage at .430.
The Norse are led by Head Coach Dizzy Peyton. During his first three seasons, he racked up 84 wins, led the Norse to their first series win over a Power 5 opponent and claimed the 2024 Horizon League Coach of the Year title. During the past offseason, Peyton received a contract extension to keep him at NKU until 2028.
The Norse have a strong core of players on the roster as they hope to return to the NCAA tournament in back-to-back years.
Kaden Echeman is returning to the mound after taking a medical redshirt year last season. Echeman will play a key role in the starting pitching rotation; he’s currently throwing a 91-94 mph fastball this offseason. In 2023, Echeman was featured on the Second Team, All-Horizon League after leading the Norse in strikeouts with 82. This featured a six-game stretch where he went 5-0, allowing just 12 earned runs and accumulating 40 strikeouts.
Left-handed pitcher Conner Linn, a graduate transfer from the University of Cincinnati, aims to join Echeman in the starting pitching rotation to make a significant impact on the mound.
Closer Aaron Massie looks to build on his strong performance from last season, where he appeared in 24 games, posting a 2.93 ERA over 27.2 innings. He allowed opponents to hit just .198 against him.
NKU returns Second Team All-Horizon League outfielder Tyler Shaneyfelt. Shaneyfelt posted an impressive .352/.482/.477 slash line last season including four doubles, two home runs and 37 RBIs. Defensively, he recorded a .970 fielding percentage.
The Norse also welcomed back Horizon League All-Freshman Team catcher Jake Paulick. Paulick recorded a .271/.408/.469 slash line last season, along with seven home runs and 45 RBIs. He drew 31 walks and finished with an outstanding .991 fielding percentage on the other side of the ball.
The Norse travel to East Tennessee State University on Friday for a three-game series to kick off their season.