HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University softball team returns to Atlantic Sun Conference play this weekend, heading to DeLand, Florida for a three-game set at Stetson. Saturday's doubleheader at Patricia Wilson Field begins at 1 p.m. with the series wrapping up on Sunday with a noon first pitch.
Northern Kentucky University Norse (5-28, 1-11 A-Sun)Stetson University Hatters (22-14, 5-7 A-Sun)Patricia Wilson Field (500) – DeLand, Fla.
April 18 – 1 p.m. (DH)
April 19 – noon
Series history: Stetson leads, 5-1
First meeting: March 29, 2013 at Stetson (NKU 3-1, SU 8-0)
Last meeting: March 6, 2014 at NKU (SU 10-0)
#StartingNine – Tweetable notes about NKU Softball this weekend The Norse are coming off a pair of tough game at IUPUI on Tuesday, losing by scores of 5-2 and 7-3. #LastTimeOut KC Straley had two hits in the opener and
Sydney Ferrante added three hits in the nightcap to lead the Norse offense.
Sydney Ferrante got three hits in the nightcap on Tuesday to extend her on-base streak to nine games. #BeAStarter Ferrante also drew a walk in the opener against IUPUI to keep the on-base streak alive. The effort has helped the Norse offense as she now leads the team with 20 runs scored on the year.
Katelyn Roy had a four-game hitting streak snapped on Tuesday but has been on base in her last five games. #Cleanup Roy's big effort came last weekend in A-Sun play against Kennesaw State in which she posted a 2-for-4 game with a double, a home run and four RBI. Her eight doubles continue to lead the team.
Paige McQueen continues to be a consistent force in the lineup, getting hits in 11 of her last 13 games. #Everyday McQueen has posted a .393 batting average in conference games as well, which leads the Norse and ranks 15
th in the A-Sun in the category.
Alex Caudill's next pitching appearance will be her 102nd, moving her to third all-time at NKU in the category. #ChasingHistory Caudill is currently tied with Chelsie Roy (2008-11) and Kim Bina (1998-2001) in the category. April Ehlers (2008-11) holds NKU's record for appearances with 119.
The Norse have picked up at least one extra-base hit in each of their last 11 games. #Slugging The Norse continue to hold their spot in the league standings in slugging, ranking fourth at .423 entering this weekend's series.
KC Straley added a triple in Tuesday's second game to share the team lead with Allie Conner at three. #60FeetToHome The two Norse are tied with six other A-Sun players for second in the conference in the category behind Natalie Rhodes of Kennesaw State, who has eight triples on the year.
Stetson enters the weekend series at 22-15 and 5-8 in A-Sun play after a 1-0 loss to North Florida in midweek conference action. #Hatters Jessica Griffin picked up two hits in the rain-shortened contest and is one of the team's most important run producers with 10 home runs and 38 RBIs. Demi Meza leads in both of those categories at 12 and 42, respectively. Jazz Vasquez boasts a team-best .376 batting average. In the circle, Chelsea Hostetler leads the way with a 14-7 record and a 3.39 ERA.
#UpNext the Norse will have a pair of midweek doubleheaders on the road, traveling to Morehead State and Marshall. NKU will take on the Eagles on Tuesday before facing the Thundering Herd on Wednesday. First pitch each day is scheduled for 2 p.m.
