Katie Sullivan is greeted by teammates after hitting a home run against Ashland.
Game 1 box score |
Game 2 box score
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. –
Ashley Gates and
Katie Sullivan each blasted solo home runs to lead the Northern Kentucky University softball team to a 4-1 victory over Ashland in the first game of a doubleheader on Tuesday.
NKU later completed the sweep by pulling out a 5-4 victory in nine innings. The Norse improved to 16-8 overall, while Ashland dropped to 8-8.
Gates singled in the winning run with two outs in the ninth to give NKU the victory in the nightcap. Ashland owned a 4-3 lead going into the bottom of the ninth, but a wild pitch and error helped NKU tie the score at 4-all.
NKU forced extra innings by scoring a run on a wild pitch in the bottom of the seventh inning.
In the opener, Gates launched her fourth homer of the season over the fence in right-center field to give NKU a 1-0 lead. It was the 26th career home run for Gates, who is NKU's all-time leader in that category.
After Ashland plated a run in the top of the third inning to tie the score, Sullivan connected for her first home run of the season to give NKU a 2-1 lead. Sullivan's homer was a drive over the fence in right-center field.
Kari Lang added a two-run double in the fourth inning to extend the Norse advantage to 4-1.
Emily Schwaeble picked up wins in both games, allowing five hits and an earned run in the opener. Schwaeble also recorded six strikeouts in the first game. She pitched 4 1/3 innings of relief in the nightcap to collect the victory.
NKU resumes Great Lakes Valley Conference play Saturday with a doubleheader at Missouri-St. Louis. The Norse conclude the trip Sunday with a GLVC twinbill at Maryville.
