Eastern Kentucky University lost to North Alabama, 15-3, in the Atlantic Sun Conference series finale on Sunday at Earle Combs Stadium.
The game saw North Alabama take an early lead with Nash Rippen’s leadoff home run in the second inning. Rippen returned to bat in the third with the bases loaded and hit a grand slam over the right field wall, putting his team ahead 5-0.
Eastern Kentucky responded in the bottom of the third by scoring three runs. Pedro Moreno scored on an error, Ricco Longo drove in Khaleel Pratt with a single to center field, and Dylan Littlefield scored on a ground out. Despite this effort, North Alabama extended its lead by adding another run in the fourth inning and five more runs in the fifth. Wes Walker contributed a two-run homer for North Alabama, while Dylan Coleman capped off the fifth inning with a two-out, two-run single that brought their advantage to 11-3.
Walker hit another two-run home run during the sixth inning, increasing North Alabama’s margin to ten runs at 13-3. Longo led Eastern Kentucky offensively by going 2-for-2 with one RBI. Pratt was also productive at bat with one hit and one walk while scoring once.
For North Alabama, Rippen finished his day going 2-for-5 with two home runs and five RBIs. Walker went 4-for-5 including two home runs and four RBIs. Coleman added a home run as part of his two-hit performance that included four RBIs as well.
Eastern Kentucky (10-34 overall; 4-17 ASUN) will next play at Northern Kentucky on Tuesday before hosting Lipscomb for their final three-game home series of their season.
