Fisher hits walk-off single versus YSU
Penguins take a ninth-inning lead but lose second straight
Staff report
Highland Heights, Ky.
Northern Kentucky’s Noah Fisher hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the Norse to a 7-6 win over the Youngstown State baseball team on Saturday at the Bill Aker Baseball Complex.
The Penguins didn’t trail until the eighth, but the Norse scored in each of the last three innings. YSU had rallied with a run in the top of the ninth to tie the score at 6 before Fisher’s walk-off liner that went off the top of Cody Dennis’ glove at second base.
It was the Penguins’ second straight loss after picking up their first win of the season against Pittsburgh on Wednesday.
Jeff Wehler homered and scored the tying run in the ninth for YSU (1-16, 0-2 Horizon League), which also got two hits apiece from Zach Lopatka and Steven D’Eusanio. Lopatka scored twice and drove in a run, and Wehler scored three times.
Lucas Nasonti, Trevor Wiersma, Dylan Swarmer and D’Eusanio also drove in runs for the Penguins.
Will Haueter hit three doubles for Northern Kentucky (3-12, 2-0), including one with an out in the bottom of the ninth that set up Fisher’s RBI single. Andrew Bacon also had three hits for the Norse.
Brett Souder suffered his first loss of the season for the Penguins. He gave up two hits, including Fisher’s game winner, and struck out one in 11/3 innings.
YSU starter and Niles graduate Marco DeFalco allowed a run on two hits and two walks. He struck out three in three innings of work. Travis Perry allowed five runs — four earned — on seven hits and three walks while striking out five in 41/3 innings.
Joe Martin got the win for the Norse, his first of the season. Martin allowed one unearned run on two hits and struck out three in two innings pitched.
The Penguins will try to take the series finale when the teams play on Sunday at noon.