Bullpen Locks Down NKU, Baseball Smashes Three Home Runs in 9-3 Win

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY -- After a rough first inning, the Morehead State baseball team's pitching staff shut down the Northern Kentucky Norse on Tuesday, firing eight straight scoreless innings while getting three home runs from the offense in a 9-3 win.

Will Grimmett (2-0) got the win out of the bullpen for Morehead State (25-14). The right-hander went three shutout innings, giving up three hits, two walks and striking out two. Trevor Callahan also pitched well, going two shutout innings while allowing one hit, walking one and striking out four. Riley Bradshaw, Zach Taylor, and Matt Bettio helped out as well.

Jackson Feltner smashed his 12th homer of the season in the first, while Isaias Guzman gave Morehead State a lead it never lost with his fourth inning grand slam. Logan Castleman launched his second two-run home run in as many games as well. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Eagles got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the top of the first inning. Feltner put Morehead State on the board with a one-out solo home run off A. Massie.

The Eagles lost the lead they built in the first, but got back on the board in the fourth trailing 3-1. The Morehead State offense exploded for five runs, highlighted by a grand slam off the bat of Guzman, which brought the Eagles lead to 6-3.

Morehead State kept Northern Kentucky scoreless before building their lead to 8-3 in the sixth inning. The Eagles added two to their tally on Castleman's two-run homer to left.

Morehead State kept the Norse scoreless before building on their lead in the eighth inning. Nick Gooden crossed home plate with the lone run of the inning for the Eagles, bringing the score to 9-3 in favor of Morehead State. The score remained 9-3 for the rest of the game, as the Eagles coasted to the win.

GAME NOTES
» Guzman's grand slam was the second of his career.
» The Morehead State pitching staff combined to strike out 13 Northern Kentucky hitters.
» Morehead State's highest scoring inning was the fourth, when it pushed five runs across.
» Morehead State hitters hit three homers in the ballgame, moving the team total to 72 this season. 
» Morehead State went 3-for-10 (.300) with runners in scoring position.
» Morehead State pitchers limited Northern Kentucky to just 2-for-14 (.143) with runners in scoring position.
» Morehead State pitchers faced 42 Northern Kentucky hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out 13.

Morehead State returns to OVC play this weekend as the Eagles travel to Tennessee to faceoff with the UT Martin Skyhawks.