Box Score
RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky's baseball team broke a 5-5 tie with three runs in the eighth and then pulled away from Lipscomb in the ninth for a 13-7 victory in the 2016 season opener and
Edwin Thompson's first game as head coach for EKU.
Kyle Nowlin put the Colonels (1-0) in front 6-5 in the eighth with a sacrifice fly. Two batters later, and with two outs,
Mandy Alvarez drove in two runs with a single to left center. After the home squad closed the gap to one in the bottom of the eighth, Eastern pulled away in the ninth.
Doug Teegarden drew a two-out, bases loaded walk and then Nowlin followed with a grand slam. The senior's first home run of the season sailed over the fence in left field and pushed EKU out in front by six. Nowlin led the nation in home runs per game last season.
The Bison pose a tough early challenge for Eastern Kentucky. Lipscomb was 39-20 last season and advanced to the NCAA regional. Eastern chased starter Cody Glenn after three and two-thirds innings. Glenn, a transfer from LSU and a former weekend starter in the Southeastern Conference, allowed four runs on five hits, walked two and struck out just one.
EKU got off to a strong start in the top of the first inning. With two outs and no one on base, Alvarez doubled down the left field line.
Ben Fisher staked the visitors to a 1-0 lead with a run scoring single to center.
Shea Sullivan followed with a two-run home run over the left field fence.
The Colonels stretched their lead to 4-0 on Nowlin's ground out in the top of the second before Lipscomb began to rally. The Bison tied the game with three in the fourth and one in the fifth. Both teams put one run on the scoreboard in the seventh.
Nowlin finished 1-for-4 with a run and six RBIs. Alvarez had three hits in five at bats, scored twice and drove in two. Fisher, Sullivan and
Logan Starnes each finished with two hits. Leadoff batter Teegarden drew three walks and scored twice.
EKU starter
Eric Nerl allowed three runs on just three hits in four innings on the mound. He walked three and struck out one.
Caleb Johnson picked up the win after tossing one and two-thirds innings of relief.
Brian Mroz earned the save. He came on in the bottom of the eighth with two outs and the tying run on second base. The junior got Adam Lee swinging to end the inning. After a leadoff walk in the bottom of the ninth, he retired the next three batters in order.
Lee Solomon had a 3-for-3 day for the Bison. He scored twice and drove in three.
Eastern and Lipscomb will continue their three-game series on Saturday at 3 p.m. ET.
