HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University softball team returns to Atlantic Sun Conference action on Saturday when the Norse welcome in North Florida for a three-game conference series at the Frank Ignatius Grein Softball Field.
The teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday and a single game on Sunday. First pitch each day is scheduled for noon. Saturday's game will feature a pair of giveaways, as fans can pick up an NKU Koozie and a 2014 NKU softball team schedule poster at the ballpark. Sunday's game features #SundayFunday Bingo, presented by Toppers.
The Norse return home looking to snap their five-game losing streak after dropping both ends of a doubleheader at Austin Peay on Thursday. NKU lost a 5-1 decision in Game 1 before taking a stinging 13-0 defeat in the nightcap, bringing the team's record to 2-19 on the year, including an 0-3 mark in A-Sun play.
A WORD ABOUT NORTH FLORIDA: The Ospreys enter the weekend at 17-13 overall, with a 2-7 record against A-Sun competition, looking to snap a six-game losing streak of their own after being swept at home by a nationally ranked Florida State squad. Marissa Thomas leads the Ospreys offense, batting .298 on the year with 16 runs scored and 15 RBIs. Kelly Wilson and Ashley Holton provide the speed on the base paths, as they have combined to steal 23 bases on the year. Reigning A-Sun Pitcher of the Year Kaylie Wallace continues to lead the Ospreys in the circle, boasting a 7-6 record with a 1.88 ERA, including a pair of shutouts.
LAST TIME AGAINST THE OSPREYS: UNF took two of the three games against NKU last season, with the Norse edging out a 4-3 extra-inning victory in the series finale. In the opener, Marissa Thomas had an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning to give UNF a 3-2 win. In Game 2, Kayla Goff picked up six strikeouts while the Osprey offense pounded out 14 hits in a 9-2 UNF win.
KC Straley went 3-for-3 and
Dee Dee Davis was 2-for-4 in the Norse win, while
Emily Schwaeble struck out six in the circle to secure the victory. The weekend series was the first time that NKU and UNF have met on the softball field.
STRALEY STILL STEALING: KC Straley picked up two more stolen bases in the doubleheader at Austin Peay, bringing her season total to 10 swipes. On her career, she has 28 stolen bases, including 18 during her two seasons at NKU. She currently ranks 15th on the all-time steals list at NKU, a list headed up by Stephanie Leimbach with 52.
CRACKING THE TOP 10: The Norse have two more players looking to crack the top 10 list for career home runs.
Katelyn Roy stands with 11 long balls, ranking 11th all-time in Highland Heights.
Dee Dee Davis is right behind Roy with nine round trippers, placing her 13th.
Emily Schwaeble holds the career record for home runs with 33 over her four seasons between 2010-13.
