Northern Kentucky University Athletics

Week 7 game notes

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Less than one week removed from a trip northward, the Northern Kentucky University softball team will renew its rivalry this weekend with Great Lakes Valley Conference foes Lewis and Wisconsin-Parkside.

NKU (23-13, 13-9 GLVC) hosts Lewis on Friday afternoon and entertain Wisconsin-Parkside on Saturday.  First pitch each day is scheduled for noon.

The Norse are coming off a doubleheader split at Bellarmine in which NKU lost Game 1, 2-1, before coming back to take a 3-1 victory in Game 2.  Emily Schwaeble hit a solo home run and Dana Jarboe drove in what proved to be the game-winning run for the Norse.

LAST TIME AGAINST LEWIS: Just four days ago, NKU used seventh-inning rallies to sweep a doubleheader at Lewis.  Kari Lang's solo home run was one of two Norse hits in Game 1, but it was enough to secure a 1-0 victory.  Lang then started the five-run rally in Game 2 that ended with a Kaylin Steinmetz three-run homer and a 5-3 victory for the Norse.

LAST TIME AGAINST WISCONSIN-PARKSIDE: The Norse picked up their first run-rule victory of the season with an 11-2 win in Game 1 of last weekend's doubleheader in Somers, Wis.  Lang struck for a three-run homer and Mandi McQueen added her second home run of the season as well.  Unfortunately, the bats went silent in Game 2 for the Norse as the Rangers salvaged the split with a 3-0 win.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Kari Lang's timely hitting helped her claim Player of the Week honors from the GLVC.  Lang hit a pair of home runs among her six hits on the week and reached base safely in each of her last six games.  The sophomore is the first Norse to be named GLVC Player of the Week this year (Emily Schwaeble was named GLVC Pitcher of the Week earlier this season).

TOP TEN FRESHMAN: Kaylin Steinmetz continues to be a major power source for the Norse, leading the GLVC in home runs, RBIs and slugging percentage.  The Glen Este High School product is also among the nation's best power hitters, ranking third nationally in home runs (15) and sixth nationally in slugging (.930).

STAYING READY: Despite not having an at bat since March 17, Dana Jarboe stepped in to make a difference on Tuesday against Bellarmine, going 2-3 in Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader and driving in the run that put the Norse ahead for good in a 3-1 victory.

STARTING STREAKS: Two Norse players are looking to keep hitting streaks alive this weekend.  Dee Dee Davis and Emily Schwaeble each enter Friday's doubleheader against Lewis with three-game hitting streaks to lead the team.