SPARTANBURG, S.C. (Interstat) — Northern Kentucky scored a run in the bottom of the 10th inning to defeat Elon 12-11 on Thursday, May 14, 2026, in a neutral-site nonconference game.

The Norse rallied from an early 1-0 deficit, built a five-run lead, then watched Elon tie the game in the top of the ninth before winning it on a walk-off single by Drew Springmeyer.

Northern Kentucky trailed 1-0 after the top of the second but erupted for five runs in the bottom half. After Elon pitcher Cole Strange issued a leadoff walk, a throwing error on a pickoff attempt put a runner in scoring position. Ethan Thomas singled, and after a fielder’s choice and a pop-up, Harley Friedberg delivered an RBI single. Shortstop Alex Brazer followed with an RBI single, and an error by the first baseman allowed another run to score. Jak Paulick capped the inning with a two-run single, giving the Norse a 5-1 lead.

Elon answered in the top of the third. With two outs and runners on second and third after a balk, right fielder Vincent Fattore launched a three-run home run to left field, tying the game 5-5.

Northern Kentucky retook the lead in the bottom of the third, scoring three unearned runs. Another error by the left fielder allowed Brazer to clear the bases with a three-run single, making it 8-5. The Norse added two more in the fourth on a two-run single by Thomas, extending the lead to 10-5.

Elon chipped away. In the sixth, pinch hitter Andrew Wheeler singled, and a wild pitch moved him to second. After a walk loaded the bases, Mike DuRoff was hit by a pitch to force in a run, cutting the deficit to 10-6. The Phoenix pulled within 11-8 in the seventh when designated hitter Kevin Denty led off with a solo home run. In the eighth, a sacrifice fly by DuRoff scored James Hajdu, making it 11-9.

Elon tied the game in the top of the ninth. After two hit-by-pitches and a walk loaded the bases, center fielder Jackson Alford doubled to center field, clearing the bases and knotting the score at 11-11.

The game remained deadlocked until the bottom of the 10th. Mark Nowak led off with a double to left field. Springmeyer then singled to left, scoring Nowak and ending the contest.

Brazer was the top performer for Northern Kentucky, going 2 for 4 with five runs batted in. Thomas finished 3 for 4 with two RBIs. Friedberg had two hits and scored three runs.

For Elon, Fattore was 2 for 5 with a home run and three RBIs. Alford went 2 for 4 with three RBIs. Denty homered and drove in a run, finishing 2 for 3. Pitcher Cole Miller tossed three perfect innings with two strikeouts, and Kehler Hamilton allowed one earned run in 1 2/3 innings of relief.

The win improved Northern Kentucky to 24-26 overall. Elon fell to 20-32.