HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University softball team rolls into its second tournament in as many weekends when the Norse head to Chattanooga, Tennessee, to challenge the field in the Frost Classic. Links to live stats and video coverage are available at nkunorse.com.
 
Eastern Illinois University Panthers (3-7)
Northern Kentucky University Norse (1-4)
Feb. 26 – 11 a.m.
Jim Frost Stadium (3,000) – Chattanooga, Tenn.
Series History: EIU leads, 1-0
 
NKU
Lipscomb University Lady Bisons (4-5)
Feb. 26 – 4 p.m.
Warner Park Field 1 – Chattanooga, Tenn.
Series History: Lipscomb leads, 9-0
 
Miami University RedHawks (2-2)
NKU
Feb. 27 – 11 a.m.
Warner Park Field 2 – Chattanooga, Tenn.
Series History: Miami leads, 3-1
 
NKU
University of Evansville Purple Aces (8-2)
Feb. 27 – 1:30 p.m.
Warner Park Field 1 – Chattanooga, Tenn.
Series History: Evansville leads, 2-0
 
NKU
Chattanooga Mocs (8-3)
Feb. 28 – 1:30 p.m.
Jim Frost Stadium – Chattanooga, Tenn.
Series History: Chattanooga leads, 2-0
 
Maher Mashing
Alina Maher has opened the 2016 season in fine fashion, cranking out three home runs in as many days. Her first career bomb came in a six-run first inning against ULM, a two-run shot that followed Kate Bartolovich's grand slam earlier in the inning. Maher came back on Saturday with another two-run homer in the second inning of a 5-4 setback against East Tennessee State. Her third round-tripper led off the fifth inning and provided the insurance run in a 7-5 win over Butler on Sunday.
 
Maher's three homers and eight RBIs leads the Norse on the season.
 
Creating Opportunities
Entering this weekend's play, the Norse have three players who have reached base in each of NKU's first five games. Zahrya McFarland, Nicolette Hayes and Sydney Ferrante each have been starters for the Norse throughout the first weekend of play. Additionally, Ferrante and Hayley Curtis are riding team-best four-game hitting streaks, and Maher has picked up base hits in four of NKU's first five games.
 
Right Back for Roberts
Sophomore pitcher Ashlynn Roberts had a solid performance in her first outing of the season, surrendering three unearned runs on just three hits while striking out four in a hard-luck 3-1 loss to Tennessee State on Feb. 19. Roberts enters this weekend with a team-best 3.50 ERA.