Game 1 box score |
Game 2 box score
KENNESAW, Ga. – A pair of one-run games just didn't break the right way for the Northern Kentucky University softball team, which is left still seeking its first Atlantic Sun Conference victory after dropping a pair of games to Kennesaw State at Bailey Park on Saturday.
The Owls (22-5, 6-2 A-Sun) won the opener, 1-0, before taking a 2-1 result in the nightcap. NKU fell to 6-20 overall and 0-8 in A-Sun play.
In a tightly-fought pitchers' duel, the only crack in the armor came in the bottom of the fifth inning, when Sharon Swanson lifted a fly ball to right field that
Dana Jarboe tracked down, but Carly Van Auken, who walked to open the inning, was able to beat the throw to the plate.
NKU's
Emily Schwaeble (1-10) surrendered just four hits on the game, including two in KSU's scoring inning, and struck out nine Owls in the contest. NKU's only hit off of Amanda Henderson (13-1) came on a
Mandi McQueen double in the top of the third inning.
In Game 2, a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch on Bianca Durant put the Owls on the board in the bottom of the third inning. The Norse were able to equalize in the fourth inning when
Natalie Papi reached on an error by Kennesaw shortstop Missy Perkowski to open the frame. Papi was lifted in favor of pinch runner
Alesa Collinsworth, who scored from first base on
Michelle Carson's double to the gap in left centerfield.
The Owls took the lead back for good in the fifth inning when Caitlin Fowler reached on a Norse error, allowing Angie Dascoli to score what would prove to be the winning run.
The Owls managed nine hits off of NKU pitcher
Kelley Benhase (5-9), including a 3-for-4 day by Natalie Rhodes. Dascoli and Sara Sikes also claimed two-hit days.
NKU will look to avoid the series sweep on Sunday when the teams meet for the final game of their three-game conference set. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
