HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Host Northern Kentucky evened the weekend series with the Milwaukee Panthers, winning Saturday's game at the Bill Aker Baseball Complex.
 
Marcus Harrison, Landon Springmeyer, and Mark Nowak collected two hits apiece and each drove in three runs for the Norse in the win, while EJ Miramontes went seven innings and struck out six Panthers while allowing one run.
 
"None of the three facets were executed well today and because of that we got handled by Northern Kentucky," Shaun Wegner said.
 
The Panthers were held to just four hits on the day and did not draw a walk against Miramontes.
 
"Offensively, we didn't do a good job executing the game plan that we had and then we got even further from it as the score widened and you could see more tentativeness in the box," added Wegner. "That's the type of pitcher we will see more of in league play and midweeks, and we have to do a better job."
 
Aric Ehmke suffered the loss, allowing six earned runs over 2 2/3 innings, while hitting three batters and striking out one. Tyler Hrin was touched up for four runs over 1 2/3 innings, while Alex Vander Loop closed out the game with the final 1 2/3 innings, allowing one run.
 
"On the mound, we worked ahead early in counts but couldn't find put-away pitches and then we got too fat with them and their offense punished the mistakes," Wegner noted. "Our defense allowed the momentum to continue in that big inning and we couldn't overcome it."
 
After a scoreless first inning, Northern Kentucky broke through first with a run in the second inning. The Norse put up an eight-spot in the third and added five more over the next two innings.
 
Milwaukee broke up the shutout in the top of the seventh as Charlie Marion collected an RBI base hit to bring home Dominic Kibler, who had singled earlier in the inning. The final score was 14-1 in seven innings.
 
"We still have a chance to win a road conference series tomorrow, so we need to show up," Wegner concluded.
 
Milwaukee and Northern Kentucky will play the rubber game of the three-game weekend set at the Bill Aker Baseball Complex on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. (CT).