NKU shortstop Jessica Farris applies the tag to Saint Joseph's third baseman Shawn Hoskins on an attempted steal.
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HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Stephanie Winter and Shawn Hoskins each drove in runs for Saint Joseph's (Ind.) to lead the Pumas to a 2-1 victory over Northern Kentucky in Game 1 of the NCAA Division II Midwest Super Regional.
The teams will meet for Game 2 of the best-of-three series on Saturday at noon. If necessary, Game 3 will be played immediately following the conclusion of Game 2.
Dee Dee Davis had a pair of singles for the Norse and
Kaylin Steinmetz doubled and scored NKU's only run of the game. For the Pumas (38-19), Shawn Hoskins also had a pair of hits and drove in the game-winning run.
Megan Ramey scattered five hits and allowed just one unearned run to push her record to 18-9 on the season. Sarah Franklin struck out two in the seventh to record her fifth save.
Emily Schwaeble (24-7) took the loss for the Norse, giving up two runs (one unearned) on six hits and striking out seven.
The Norse (38-20) opened the scoring in the bottom of the first after Steinmetz and
Emily Schwaeble each got base hits to open the frame and
Mandi McQueen followed with a walk to load the bases. An errant throw from Puma catcher Brittnie Boerema on a pickoff attempt allowed the Norse to plate Steinmetz.
Ramey would settle things down for the Pumas following the first inning, allowing just one Norse base runner past first base for the rest of the contest.
The top of the order did its job for Saint Joseph's in the fourth inning, beginning with Amy Varner's leadoff single. After a sacrifice bunt, Stephanie Winter laced a double to left center field to score Varner and tie the game. A passed ball moved Winter to third before Hoskins brought her in with a single to left field.
Saint Joseph's threatened to play add-on in the top of the seventh after Hoskins singled to lead off the frame and was lifted for pinch runner Hillary Banks. A bunt single by Boerema moved Banks into scoring position for Audra Raines, who pulled a single through the right side. A quick field and throw by Norse right fielder
Alex Caudill saved the run as her feed came in to catcher
Kari Lang, who applied a swipe tag on Banks to get the out and keep it a one-run affair.
Jessica Farris got a bunt single to open the bottom of the seventh, but the top of the Norse lineup couldn't bring the tying run home.
Saint Joseph's is seeking its first regional championship in program history. NKU hopes to bounce back and claim its third regional title and its first since 2005.
