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HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky University pitcher
Emily Schwaeble struck out 12 batters and added a three-run home run at the plate, but Miami (Ohio) struck last and held on for a 5-4 victory on Tuesday at the Frank Ignatius Grein Softball Field.
Schwaeble factored into all four Norse runs on the game, beginning in the first inning when her ground ball was bobbled by the RedHawks' third baseman, then kicked away by the shortstop to allow
Dee Dee Davis to score the game's first run.
NKU's senior hurler was dominant the first time through the Miami lineup, picking up seven of her strikeouts in the game's first three innings. However, the speed bump came in the top of the fifth inning, when a pair of walks contributed to a four-run Miami inning to give the RedHawks the lead.
However, Schwaeble took it upon herself to put the Norse back in the ballgame, launching a three-run homer in the bottom of the fifth inning to level the score at 4-4. Davis and
Natalie Papi picked up back-to-back singles to open the frame before the Colerain High School product connected for her seventh home run of the season and 33
rd of her career, extending her lead as NKU's all-time home run champion.
A two-out error by the Norse in the top of the seventh allowed Miami's Taylor Shuey to reach first base, and the RedHawks capitalized on the opportunity when Tiyona Marshall drove in the eventual winning run on an RBI single to right field.
Davis ended the game going 3-for-4, extending her hitting streak to 10 games.
Kaylin Steinmetz also picked up a pair of hits, including a double.
Tuesday's action was scheduled as a doubleheader, but severe weather halted Game 2 in the bottom of the fourth inning, just one out away from counting as an official game. The game will not be made up.
NKU (10-31) returns to Atlantic Sun Conference action this weekend, heading to the Sunshine State to take on North Florida for a three-game weekend series.
