HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – After a day off from competition, the Northern Kentucky University softball team continues its swing through the Sunshine State, taking on Wagner, Butler and Penn in neutral-site games on Tuesday and Wednesday.
 
Northern Kentucky University Norse (3-10)
Wagner University Seahawks (5-5)
March 8 – noon (DH)
Clearwater, Fla.
Series History: First meeting
 
NKU
Butler University Bulldogs (8-9)
March 9 – 1 p.m.
Clearwater, Fla.
Series History: Butler leads, 4-1
 
NKU
University of Pennsylvania Quakers (2-3)
March 9 – 3 p.m.
Clearwater, Fla.
Series History: First meeting
 
Scouting Wagner
The Seahawks stand at 5-5 on the year after going 2-3 at the Hatter Classic, hosted by Stetson, splitting two games with the host Hatters and sweeping a pair against Bethune-Cookman. Brianna Tredway is one of two players batting over .400 in the Seahawks' lineup, scoring nine runs on the year, while Hana Gilbert sports a .344 batting average with a pair of home runs and 13 RBIs. In the circle, McKaleigh Goodale sports a 3-2 record with a 2.57 ERA and Wagner's only shutout, while Morgan Brown has struck out 23 batters in 34.1 innings of work.
 
Scouting Butler
The Bulldogs are 8-9 on the year after picking up wins against Southern Illinois and Eastern Illinois in weekend tournament action. Brandyce Sallee leads the offensive effort, batting .373 with two home runs and 12 RBIs on the year, followed by freshman Kaitlin Doud, who has driven in 18 runs as well. Kristin Gutierrez has gone the distance in six of her eight starts in the circle, going 3-4 with a 1.71 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 49 innings.
 
Earlier this season, NKU took its first-ever win over Butler with a 7-5 result in Nashville, Tennessee. Alina Maher homered and Dani Devlin claimed a pair of doubles as NKU used a six-run third inning to build the lead they needed for the win. Charlie Nolen scattered 12 hits in a complete-game victory.
 
Scouting Penn
The Quakers are 2-3 after their first weekend in Florida, getting wins over Providence and Detroit in the Under Armour Invitational. Korinne Raby went 5-for-9 with a double and three RBIs to lead the Penn effort. Mason Spichiger made three appearances on the weekend, going 1-0 with a save and posting a 1.27 ERA while striking out nine batters in 11 innings.
 
Charlie's In Charge
Charlie Nolen had a strong weekend in the circle as the Norse claimed a 2-1 record to open their Sunshine State swing. In two starts over the weekend, the junior posted a 1-1 record with a 2.40 ERA. Nolen struck out four batters in 11.2 innings, picking up a 2-1 over St. Bonaventure before taking the 3-2 loss to a tough Villanova team.