Northern Kentucky University Athletics

Game 1 box score | Game 2 box score

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Mandi McQueen homered and Dee Dee Davis and Michelle Carson each claimed three-hit games as the Northern Kentucky University softball team defeated Bellarmine in Game 1 of Wednesday's Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheader.

The 5-2 win extended NKU's winning streak to five games before the run was snapped by a 9-1 defeat in Game 2.  The Norse are now 28-16 overall and 18-12 in GLVC play.

McQueen hit a laser shot down the right field line in the bottom of the first inning to put the Norse on the board early. Carson then extended the lead in the second inning with an RBI-single to bring in Davis, who's two-out double started the rally.  Jessica Farris would add an RBI-double of her own to make it a 3-0 Norse lead after two innings.

Dana Jarboe drove in a run in the third and Carson added another in the fourth after a Davis triple.

Emily Schwaeble (18-5) was solid in the circle, striking out 11 and stranding 10 Bellarmine baserunners in the game.

Megan's Murdoch's grand slam in the fifth inning of Game 2 opened the flood gates for the Knights, who cruised to a 9-1 victory.  Cynthia Brown went 4-4 with a triple and Lauren Summe had a pair of hits, including a home run, and scored three runs in the Bellarmine victory.

The Norse were led by Natalie Papi, who had two of NKU's six hits on the game and scored the team's only run.

The Norse conclude the home half of the 2012 schedule tomorrow against Cedarville.  First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.

REGIONAL RANKINGS:  The Norse jumped one spot to No. 5 in today's NCAA Division II Midwest Region rankings.  Indianapolis leads the region followed by Grand Valley State and Ashland and Saint Joseph's to round out the top five.