April Ehlers allowed just three hits struck out five batters in a Game 1 loss to Wayne State, 1-0.
NKU-WSU box score |
NKU-NGCSU box score
DECATUR, Ala. – The Northern Kentucky University softball team struggled to find the offense, dropping a pair of games in Day 1 action at the Charger Chillout. NKU fell to Wayne State (Mich.), 1-0, before dropping an 8-0 decision to North Georgia.
The day was fated to be a challenge for the Norse, with both opponents ranked in the NCAA Division II national poll. Wayne State came in at No. 20 while North Georgia is the No. 2 team in the country.
WSU's Casey Hanes (1-0) was literally unhittable for the Norse, facing just one more batter than the minimum and retiring 20 straight Norse batters to take the win in Game 1. Stephanie LeClair's RBI-double in the top of the seventh was all the offense Hanes needed to take the victory.
NKU's
April Ehlers (0-1) took the hard-luck loss, surrendering a run on three hits while striking out five in the contest.
Game 2 saw another pitcher's duel until the fifth inning, when control problems from NKU's
Chelsie Roy (0-1) resulted in a five-run inning, including a grand slam from North Georgia's Lauren Dykes. The Saints would tack on three more runs in the sixth to reach the final margin.
Jessica Farris was the lone bright spot for the Norse in Game 2, going 2-for-3 at the plate and swiping one base.
Sarah Phillips (3-0) put in a four-strikeout performance to record the win.
NKU drops to 0-2 on the season and will face Columbus State and West Georgia in Day 2 action at the Charger Chillout on Saturday.
