EMERSON, Ga. – Freshman Cullen Large hit a two out single in the bottom of the eighth inning lifting the William and Mary baseball team to a 5-4 victory over Northern Kentucky in the final game of the series in Emerson, Ga. With the win, the Tribe swept the three-game set and improved to 4-2, while the Norse falls to 2-8.
Large was the lone Tribe player with a multi-hit game. Along with Large, sophomore Matthew Tilley and junior Charley Gould drove in runs for the Green and Gold.
For the first time in the series Northern Kentucky took a lead when it scored in the top of the first inning. Cole Bauml reached first after a strikeout on a wild pitch, before moving to second on a walk to Cody Kuzniczci. A fly out allowed Bauml reach third, before Trey Ganns doubled down the left field line to get the Norse on the board.
W&M responded and took the lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second inning. Gould led off the inning with a walk moving to second on a wild pitch. Sophomore Tim Hoehn walked, and senior Devin White singled, loading the bases. The next batter, sophomore Matthew Tilley hit a sacrifice fly to right field. The final run of the inning came during a rundown that got White, but allowed Hoehn to score, giving the Tribe a 2-1 lead.
A two out rally gave the Green and Gold a 3-1 lead after three innings. Senior Willie Shaw singled to right, before junior Ryan Hissey followed suit, putting runners on first and second. Gould continued his strong weekend with a single through the left side, plating Shaw.
NKU cut the Tribe lead to just a run when they scored in the top of the fifth inning. Caleb Lonkard started the rally with a one out single, later moving to second on a stolen base. With two outs, Bauml doubled to left center, making the score 3-2.
The Tribe responded with a run of its own in the bottom of the fifth. Large sparked the rally with a double to left center field, before he advanced to third on a wild pitch. Shaw, the next batter, reached on a walk, putting runners on the corners with just one out. Large came around to score on a throwing error, giving W&M a 4-2 lead.
Again the Norse rallied in the top of this sixth, this time tying the score at 4-4. Logan Spulin doubled to left field, starting the rally. Ganns then hit a single, putting runners on first and second, before a sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position. Ryan Lefevers followed with a sacrifice fly to right field, before Kyle Colletta singled, accounting for both Norse runs.
William and Mary won the game in the bottom of the eighth inning. Devin White led off the inning reaching on an error, before moving to second on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore Porter Reinhart. With two outs, Large singled through the right side, winning the game for the Tribe.
Junior Mitchell Aker made the start for the Tribe, but left with a no decision. Aker tossed five innings allowing three runs on six hits, while striking out five Norse batters. Senior Bryson Kauhaahaa made his first appearance of the weekend throwing an inning and allowing just one hit. Freshman Charlie Fletcher earned his first career win for the Green and Gold, tossing two innings, scattering a hit and picking up a strikeout.
Since it was the second game of a doubleheader the game was scheduled for just seven innings.
W&M, which was scheduled to play at home against Campbell, will now play a doubleheader against the Camels in Buries Creek, N.C. on Wednesday, March 4. First pitch of the double dip is set for 12 p.m.
