Northern Kentucky University Athletics

Game 1 box score | Game 2 box score

OWENSBORO, Ky. – Emily Schwaeble threw her third shutout in as many starts to give the Northern Kentucky University softball team a 1-0 victory over Kentucky Wesleyan in Game 1 of Saturday's Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheader.

The Norse couldn't make one run stand in Game 2, falling by a 2-1 score in the nightcap.  NKU is now 12-8 overall and 6-4 in GLVC play.

Schwaeble (10-1) allowed just two hits and two walks while striking out eight Panthers in the Game 1 victory.  She retired 12 of the first 13 batters she faced, allowing one batter to reach base via an error over the span.

NKU's run in Game 1 came in the top of the third inning.  After Jessica Farris led off the inning with a double, back-to-back singles by Schwaeble and Katelyn Roy pushed the run across.  The Norse amassed seven hits against KWC pitcher Ashlee Winstead (2-8), with Schwaeble and Roy each collecting two knocks.

KWC got on the board first in Game 2, scoring a run on a double-play ball in the second inning to take the 1-0 advantage.

The Norse manufactured a run in the sixth inning to level the score, bringing in Dee Dee Davis on an RBI-double by Kaylin Steinmetz. The Panthers responded in the bottom half of the inning on an RBI-single by Angie Camp to retake the one-run lead.

NKU looked to mount a comeback in the seventh, getting the tying run to third with one out, but a pop fly on the infield by Alex Caudill and a strikeout by Allie Conner ended the game.

Jordan Vertz (4-3) got the win for the Panthers, picking up four strikeouts while giving up a run on three hits.  Winstead claimed her third save of the season, picking up the final two outs of the contest.

Alex Caudill (2-6) took the loss in relief, giving up a run on three hits and striking out two in four innings of work.  Roy gave up an earned run on four hits in two innings.

The Norse conclude their conference road trip tomorrow at Southern Indiana.  First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.  Live stats and audio broadcast links will be available on nkunorse.com.