HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Milwaukee scored five runs in the ninth inning including a go-ahead two-run double by Cade Palkowski as the Panthers earned a comeback win over the Northern Kentucky Norse by an 11-8 score.
 
Palkowski came on in the top of the ninth as a pinch hitter with two on and two down to break an 8-8 tie for Milwaukee's first lead of the game.
 
As a team, Milwaukee had 13 hits, led by Tyler Bickers with a 5-for-5 effort, while also scoring four runs. Gabe Roessler and Charlie Marion also had multi-hit efforts, while Caden Headlee walked four times as Milwaukee drew 14 walks as a team.
 
"That was a well-earned and deserved comeback win for our team," said head coach Shaun Wegner. "There were a few breaks that went our way as well as a lot of opportunities that we did not capitalize on. I'm never going to apologize for a victory though."
 
Teige Lethert led MKE with three RBIs, with Palkowski and Roessler each driving in two apiece. Marion, Q Phillips, and Thomas Otto each walked twice.
 
"I can't say enough about the relentlessness that our hitters showed today," Wegner said. "We really should have been able to capitalize more frequently with the traffic we had but kept stalling until late."
 
The Norse took a four-run lead on a first-inning grand slam and led by five before the Panthers evened the score in the top of the fourth. NKU regained a one-run lead in the bottom of the fourth heading into the middle innings.
 
Mason Weckler pitched 2 2/3 hitless innings in relief of Aric Ehmke who made the start for the Panthers.
 
The Panthers tied the game at six in the top of the seventh on an RBI triple by Marion. However, the Norse took an 8-6 lead in the bottom of the eighth.
 
"To their credit, Northern Kentucky never gave in and kept attacking early and battling late," said Wegner.
 
Milwaukee got the first two on in the ninth but the next two batters were retired and were facing the end of the game. Justin Hausser walked before Lethert tied the game with a two-run single. Palkowski was up next and brought home Hausser and pinch runner Bradyn Horn. Later on Roessler brought home Palkowski to put MKE up by three.
 
"We found a way to get it done late in the ninth," Wegner concluded. "Tip of a cap to Palkowski … what a great moment for him on getting called upon late and getting it done."
 
Zach Dohrmann was the fifth pitcher for the Panthers and earned the win as the beneficiary of the team's comeback win.
 
"Our defense was solid throughout the day ad there were a few game-changing plays that can go overlooked," added Wegner. "I thought Tate Schmidt was someone who really played his position well today."
 
Tyler Shaneyfel had the grand slam in the first inning, leading the Norse with four RBIs. Nolan Sparks was 3-for-4 at the plate for NKU. Five pitchers took to the hill for Northern Kentucky, led by Shawn Parnell with 2 1/3 hitless innings but walked four.
 
Milwaukee will look to sweep the series on Sunday afternoon against Northern Kentucky at the Bill Aker Baseball Complex. The game time for Sunday's game has been moved up to 11:00 a.m. (CT) due to forecasted weather later in the afternoon.