Northern Kentucky University Athletics

NKU-UWG box score | NKU-UAH box score

DECATUR, Ala. – Jamie Raabe went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and Jessica Farris drove in a pair of runs to lead the Northern Kentucky University softball team to a 5-4 victory over West Georgia to open play in the Charger Chillout.

After going down in order in the first inning, the Norse opened things up in the top of the second with an RBI-single from Raabe. Farris came across in the third inning on a West Georgia error to double the lead. Run-scoring singles from Farris and Dee Dee Davis in the fourth inning broke the game into a 4-0 lead as the Norse appeared to be cruising.

Things got interesting in the bottom of the fifth inning, however, as West Georgia scored four unearned runs to tie the game, including a two-run single from Megan Garcia to tie the game.

The Norse came through in the top of the sixth inning on the back of an RBI-triple by Farris to score Raabe and give NKU the edge.

Chelsie Roy (1-0) got the win, pitching 1/3 inning of relief and picking up one strikeout. April Ehlers got the save, closing out the game with two innings of relief work, striking out two.

Natalie Papi was another bright spot offensively, going 3-for-4 on the contest.

The opening win balanced out a 2-0 loss at the hands of Alabama-Huntsville to close out play.

A squandered leadoff double by Farris in the first inning proved costly in the bottom half the inning as UAH came back to pick up a run on an Abby McKay single.

The Chargers added another in the third inning, giving UAH pitcher Whitney Toler (1-0) all the lead she needed. The freshman surrendered just two hits and struck out eight Norse batters to pick up her first career win.

Ehlers (0-1) went the distance in defeat, allowing just one earned run on five hits and picking up five more strikeouts.

The Norse return to action tomorrow in the Charger Chillout with games against Arkansas Tech and North Alabama.