HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University softball team will conclude the 2014 season this weekend with a three-game series at the Frank Ignatius Grein Softball Field against Atlantic Sun Conference foe Florida Gulf Coast.
NKU will be hosting its annual Bark in the Park event during Saturday's doubleheader. Fans are encouraged to bring their dogs to enjoy the game with them; and they will have the opportunity to purchase NKU dog collars and other accessories for their furry friends. Hot dogs will also be sold for $1 with proceeds supporting local animal shelters.
On Sunday, the Norse will honor their seniors –
Michelle Carson,
Dee Dee Davis,
Kari Lang,
Rachel Kohlman,
Dana Jarboe,
Mandi McQueen and
Natalie Papi – during a special pregame ceremony.
First pitch each day is set for noon. Fans who can't make it to the ballpark can follow along with live stats at nkunorse.com.
The Norse enter the contest with a record of 5-42 after splitting a midweek doubleheader with in-state rival Morehead State.
Kelley Benhase,
Paige McQueen and
Alyssa Enrique combined to give up one run on three hits without a walk in a 2-1 victory.
Mandi McQueen provided the edge with an RBI single in the second inning as the Norse managed five hits in the game. The win softened the blow of an 8-2 loss in the opener.
Alexis VanHorn hit her second home run of the season in the losing effort.
A WORD ABOUT FLORIDA GULF COAST: The Eagles have locked up the No. 6 seed in next week's A-Sun Tournament, entering the weekend with a 28-24-1 overall record and an 11-13 mark in conference play. FGCU was swept in a three-game series last weekend by Mercer to close out the home half of the Eagles' schedule, managing a single run in each loss.
Kelsey Carpenter is the league's top hitter, entering the weekend with a .438 batting average that ranks among the top-20 hitters in the nation. Carpenter also tops the league list in on-base percentage (.503) and ranks fourth in slugging (.673) and fifth in RBI (43). Chelsea Zgrabik will provide power as well, as her team-best 13 home runs rank fourth in the A-Sun.
In the circle, the Eagles use a balanced staff approach that starts with Shelby Morgan, who is 10-7 on the year with a 2.16 ERA in 19 starts. The junior has managed five shutouts on her own and combined on three more. Amanda Josie is also expected to get a start, boasting a 9-9 record with a 3.31 ERA in 18 starts. As a staff, the Eagles have six saves, with Morgan (3) and Josie (2) accounting for five of them.
The FGCU defense is not to be taken lightly. As a team, FGCU has turned 30 double plays, and ranks 12
th in the nation in the category.
LAST TIME AGAINST FGCU: The Norse took three hard-fought losses to FGCU in their A-Sun series last year, April 27-28, losing three heart-breaking walk-off decisions in Ft. Myers, Florida. The Eagles walked off with a 2-0 win in eight innings in the series opener thanks to a two-run homer by Brittney Garabedian. A pinch-hit RBI single by Louie Ross in the nightcap on Saturday gave FGCU a 4-3 win. It was extra innings again on Sunday, as Ross again came through with an RBI single to steal a 2-1 win and complete the sweep. The conference set was the first-ever meeting between the schools.
EVERY DAY DEE DEE: Senior
Dee Dee Davis has played every game of her NKU career, entering this weekend with 204 games played, tying her for 10
th all-time at NKU. She can climb as high as ninth on the list, surpassing Rose Broderick, if she sees action in all three games this weekend. Similarly, Davis can get to eighth on the games started list.
