Northern Kentucky University Athletics

Game 1 box score | Game 2 box score

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Rose Broderick hit a home run and collected seven runs batted in to lead the Northern Kentucky University softball team to a doubleheader sweep over Rockhurst in the Great Lakes Valley Conference opener for both teams.

NKU improved to 4-4 overall and 2-0 in the GLVC, while Rockhurst fell to 0-5 overall and 0-2 in GLVC play.

Broderick, NKU's all-time home run leader, had a banner day going a combined 5-for-7 in the twin bill including two doubles and her first home run of the season.  Ashley Gates was 3-for-6 with a home run as well.

Game 1 saw the Norse jump out to a lead in the bottom of the first inning as Broderick doubled in Jessica Farris, who walked to lead off the frame. Broderick later scored on a throwing error to give NKU a 2-0 edge.

Rockhurst would not go away silently, though, plating runs in the second and fourth innings to keep pace with NKU until the Norse exploded for five runs in bottom of the fifth inning, capped by a two-run triple by Emily Schwaeble.

The Norse got the run-rule decision in the sixth inning, using a bases loaded walk to Gates and a solid baserunning job by Stephanie West on an infield grounder by April Ehlers to plate the game-ending run.

Ehlers (3-2) was stellar in the circle, pitching six innings of one-hit softball with 11 strikeouts on the game. West went 2-for-2 and scored two runs on the game while Schwaeble was 2-for-3 and added three RBI.

Broderick got the offense going early in Game 2 as well, slapping a two-run single up the middle in the top of the first inning to give the Norse the early lead. The senior would come back in the third to belt a two-run home run to left in the third inning to stake a 4-0 lead.

Gates started a two-out rally for the Norse in the fifth inning with her second home run of the season, a line shot over the left field wall.

Broderick capped her day with an RBI-double to centerfield, scoring Farris once again in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Chelsie Roy (1-2) picked up her first shutout of the season in the nightcap, pitching seven innings of three-hit softball. Roy struck out four Rockhurst batters.

Farris went 2-for-3 in the contest, while Jamie Raabe added a 2-for-3 performance in Game 2 as well.

The Norse are back in action on Monday to begin a four-day stretch at the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, Fla. NKU will take on Saginaw Valley and Concordia-St. Paul in Day 1 action. First pitch is scheduled for 9 a.m.