Northern Kentucky University Athletics

Game 1 box score | Game 2 box score

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – Jessica Farris scored the go-ahead run after a throwing error in the top of the seventh inning, and the Northern Kentucky University softball team held on for a 4-3 win against Lewis in the second game of a doubleheader on Sunday.

With the score tied at 3-all, Farris led off the seventh with a double and was sacrificed to third by Stephanie West. Rose Broderick then lined out to second base, but Kayla Smith's attempt to double off Farris at third resulted in an errant throw. Farris scored as a result of the error to give NKU a 4-3 lead.

Lewis threatened in the bottom of the seventh and had the tying run at third base with two outs, but Norse pitcher April Ehlers retired Michelle Vucsko on a grounder to first base to end the game and give NKU a split of the doubleheader.

NKU improved to 28-15 overall, 18-7 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Lewis, which is ranked 15th nationally in the NCAA Division II poll, is 32-12 overall, 19-7 in the GLVC.

Farris hit a three-run triple in the second inning as NKU took a 3-0 lead. Lewis, however, battled back with two runs in the fourth inning and a run in the fifth to tie the game at 3-all.

Ehlers relieved starter Chelsie Roy in the fifth and pitched three scoreless innings to pick up the win for NKU in the nightcap.

In the opening game, Sarah Hurley blasted a three-run homer in the first inning to ignite a 5-0 victory for Lewis. The Flyers jumped out to a 4-0 lead and cruised behind the shutout pitching of Karissa Habel, who allowed just two hits en route to the win.

Farris collected both hits for NKU in the first game. Ehlers struck out eight batters in six innings of work for the Norse.

NKU is scheduled to play host to Ohio Dominican in a non-conference doubleheader Wednesday at 3 p.m. The Norse conclude the regular season Saturday at noon by hosting Quincy in a GLVC doubleheader.