NKU-Drexel box score |
NKU-NSU box score
BUIES CREEK, N.C. – The Northern Kentucky University softball team saw its weekend end on a strong note, picking up wins over Drexel and Norfolk State to close out play at the Camel Stampede Tournament, hosted by Campbell University.
The Norse, now 6-12 on the year, opened with a 5-1 win over Drexel before taking a 4-1 decision against Norfolk State.
The Norse did the majority of their damage in the fourth inning against Drexel. After back-to-back singles by
Natalie Papi and
Michelle Carson to lead off the inning,
Tory Speakman walked to load the bases, allowing
Dana Jarboe to drive in the game's first run when a ground ball was misplayed by the Dragons' third baseman, leaving the bases loaded.
Mandi McQueen blew the game open with a bases-clearing double to right center.
The Norse added on in the seventh when Papi got her second hit of the day, a single up the middle to score
Taylor Zuberer, who was on as a pinch runner.
NKU pitcher
Kelley Benhase was solid, not allowing a runner past second base until the fifth inning, when Drexel plated its only run on a groundout by Comfort Ahonkhai. Benhase scattered five hits while striking out four to improve to 5-5 on the season.
Papi struck again in the Norfolk State game, leading off the scoring with a solo home run to right field in the second inning. Carson extended the lead in the fourth with NKU's first inside-the-park home run of the season and her second round-tripper of the year, scoring
Emily Schwaeble, who drew a one-out walk in front of Carson.
Kathy Cortez put the Spartans on the board in the fifth inning when she took advantage of a throwing error on a sacrifice bunt attempt by Heather Dunning to score NSU's only run. The Norse quickly pushed the lead back to three runs in the bottom half of the inning when
Dee Dee Davis hit a ground ball to the infield, causing Jarboe to get cut down at the plate, but
KC Straley, who started the play at second base, snuck in under the catcher's tag to score the insurance run.
Schwaeble (1-6) picked up her first win in the circle, allowing just an unearned run on five hits while striking out eight, her highest strikeout total since the season opener against Presbyterian.
NKU's spring break trip continues after a couple of days off when the Norse head to Spartansburg, S.C., opening Atlantic Sun Conference play against USC Upstate in a three-game series beginning on Tuesday.
