Box score
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. –
KC Straley was perfect at the plate, going 3-for-3 and scoring two runs, including the go-ahead run, for the Northern Kentucky University softball team in a 4-3 victory in extra innings over North Florida on Sunday to wrap up the three-game Atlantic Sun Conference series between the teams.
Dee Dee Davis added a 2-for-4 day and extended her team-best hitting streak to 13 games, the longest hitting streak for a Norse batter since
Jessica Farris had a 15-game hitting streak March 5-20, 2011. All told, the Norse managed eight hits, with
Emily Schwaeble,
Kaylin Steinmetz and
Dana Jarboe also figuring into the offensive mix.
Alexis VanHorn also drew a pair of walks in helping NKU (11-33, 5-16 A-Sun) to its first extra-innings win of the season.
All of the North Florida (36-13, 14-6 A-Sun) offense came in the first inning. Back-to-back singles to lead off the inning set up a two-run single from Marissa Thomas. Ashley Holton added a sacrifice fly later in the inning to stake an early 3-0 lead for the Ospreys.
NKU's power bats answered in the top of the second inning, with Schwaeble shooting the first pitch of the frame into right field, setting up Steinmetz for a two-run home run, her fourth of the season.
The Norse tied the game up in the top of the third inning. After a one-out single by Straley, Davis laced a 3-2 pitch into centerfield for a base hit. The Osprey centerfielder misplayed the ball, allowing Straley to score.
Much like Saturday's series opener, the teams traded zeros on the scoreboard from that point on through seven complete innings; but it was the Norse who struck in the eighth inning.
A leadoff walk to Straley followed by a Davis single set the table for the Norse.
Natalie Papi's groundout advanced the runners before Schwaeble drove in the go-ahead run on a groundout to shortstop, allowing Straley to score. Schwaeble returned to the circle to retire the Ospreys in order, including two of her six strikeouts of the day to improve her pitching record to 5-18 on the season.
Danica Mandrano went 2-for-4 to pace the Ospreys offense, while Jackie Reese was 0-for-2 with a pair of walks and a run scored.
The Norse are back in action on Tuesday for their final non-conference games of the season. NKU will travel to face in-state foe Eastern Kentucky for a twin bill. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.
