Nolan Sparks stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the second inning, facing off against Milwaukee’s Keagon Kaufmann.
The first pitch was high as the umpire counted it as a ball, then the next pitch was where Sparks wanted it, crushing the seams off the ball. It soared to left field as it flew over the fence for a solo home run to kick off the game.
After the hit, NKU kept up that great play, cruising to a 6-2 win over the Panthers. That would be the only win for the Norse in the three-game series, and they moved their record to 15-11.
In game one of the series, pitchers Connor Kurki and Ryan Pehrson were the highlights for the Norse, combining for three scoreless innings to close out the game. The other pitcher for NKU, Conner Linn, struggled as he gave up six runs, seven runs and five earned runs. Linn was credited with the loss.
On the offensive end, the Norse managed to get just five hits. Scoring three runs in the game, Jake Altman had the lone run scored and an RBI single. NKU lost 13-3
In the second game, Logan Wilson got the start for the Norse, striking out three and allowing only two runs in 2.2 innings. Shawn Parnell pitched 2.1 innings of scoreless baseball, but NKU gave up 14 walks.
To the bats, Tyler Shaneyfelt went 2-5 over the plate and hit a grand slam in the bottom of the first to kick off the scoring. Sparks hit a home run, leading the Norse with three hits. But this game came down to the ninth inning as the Panthers rallied back, winning 11-8.
In the final game of the series, Aaron Boster was dominant for the Norse, not giving up a hit in six innings and striking out six players in the process. Eva Fry gave up two home runs mid-game but bounced back in a great way as he threw three perfect innings, striking out three hitters.
On the offensive end, the scoring started quickly as Gabe Miranda hit a sacrifice fly and Logen Devenport scored a run. Devenport led the way, going 3-4 over the plate. He had an RBI and swiped a pair of bases as well. Sparks had a solo home run to get the bats going for the day. He finished the week with two home runs. Miranda finished 2-4 with a double and a walk. NKU won 6-2.
NKU Baseball was saved from the series sweep, winning the final game. They row their boat to Evansville, Ind. as they take on Southern Indiana on Tuesday at 6 p.m.