HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University softball team returns to Horizon League action this weekend when the Norse hit the road for a three-game set at UIC. Friday's single game is set for 3 p.m. Central (4 p.m. Eastern) first pitch, with Saturday's doubleheader beginning at noon Central (1 p.m. Eastern).
 
Northern Kentucky University Norse (9-27, 2-6 Horizon)
University of Illinois at Chicago "UIC" Flames (23-12, 9-2 Horizon)
April 15 – 3 p.m. CT (4 p.m. ET)
April 16 – noon CT (1 p.m. ET) (DH)
Flames Field – Chicago, Ill.
Series History: First meeting
 
Last Time Out
The Norse and Detroit played a series of shutouts, with Detroit taking two of the three games in Highland Heights. Paige McQueen picked up a pair of hits, batting .333 on the weekend, while Zahrya McFarland stole a pair of bases and claimed an RBI. The pitching staff posted a miniscule 0.33 ERA in three games, striking out 11 batters in the process.
 
Scouting UIC
The Flames enter the weekend after sweeping Valparaiso in a three-game, midweek Horizon League series. LaRi Mitchell is batting .398 on the year, has scored a team-high 27 runs and stolen 21 bases. Laura Swan provides the punch in the lineup, batting .292 with four home runs and 33 RBIs. In the circle, Elaine Heflin claims a 14-5 record, including a pair of shutouts, with a 1.75 ERA and 113 strikeouts in 120.1 innings of work.
 
The Series
Friday will mark the first meetings between the Norse and the Flames.
 
Earning Their Keep
The NKU pitching staff has posted solid numbers over the last five games, surrendering just four earned runs in 35 innings of work for a 0.80 ERA. Jordan Harbacek struck out 11 batters over 12.2 innings in the span while giving up just one earned run, while Charlie Nolen picked up her first shutout in an NKU uniform against Detroit, throwing 13 innings of one-run softball in Saturday's doubleheader.
 
On Streaking
Nicolette Hayes extended her on-base streak to 11 games, reaching in all three games of the Detroit series. Hayes went 1-for-6 with a run scored and drew three walks on the weekend. Over the streak, dating back to March 25, Hayes has batted .321, drawn 10 walks and scored six runs for a .513 on-base percentage.