Northern Kentucky University Athletics

Week 1 game notes

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University softball team opens its 2012 season this weekend at the Charger Chillout tournament in Decatur, Ala.

NKU opens play against West Georgia and Florida Tech on Friday.  Regional foe Wayne State awaits on Saturday, as does West Alabama.  The Norse close out play on Sunday against Georgia College & State and perennial powerhouse Barry.

Game times and other information can be found at nkunorse.com.

Last season, the Norse finished with a 29-17 record and qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year.

TOUGH THAW: The Charger Chillout has proven to be a tough early-season challenge for the Norse, who have never walked out of Decatur with a winning record.  Twice (2009, 2007) in six previous appearances NKU has escaped at .500.  Last season, NKU went 2-4 at the Chillout, picking up wins over West Georgia and North Alabama.

ALL-TIME AGAINST CHILLOUT OPPONENTS: NKU is a combined 10-20 all-time against its opponents this weekend, claiming a winning record only against West Georgia (3-2).  The Norse are winless against Barry (0-4), Florida Tech (0-1) and Georgia College (0-1).  NKU claims a 5-9 record against Wayne State and a 2-3 mark against West Alabama.

PRESEASON PREDICTIONS: The Norse were picked to finish third in what should prove to be a hotly contested Great Lakes Valley Conference East division.  Lewis picked up 12 first-place vote to lead the balloting with 116 points, while Indianapolis claimed 101 points and two first-place votes.  NKU was was three points behind Indy and took home the final two first-place votes.

SUPER SCHWAEBLE: Junior Emily Schwaeble was consistently excellent at the plate during her sophomore season, hitting .340 with eight home runs.  Her 44 RBIs were good for third among Great Lakes Valley Conference hitters and her 13 doubles led the team and ranked sixth in the GLVC.

FANTASTIC FARRIS: Jessica Farris was NKU's leading run scorer in 2011, touching the plate 37 times.  She also used her speed and awareness to steal 11 bases, another team best last year.

YOUTH MOVEMENT: Of the 15 players on the opening day roster for the Norse, 12 of them enter the season as freshmen or sophomores.  It is the youngest roster NKU has seen since 2007, when 15 of the 16 team members were freshmen or sophomores.