CHICAGO –
Zahrya McFarland went a combined 3-for-6 with two runs scored in what turned out to be a pair of setbacks for the Northern Kentucky softball team at UIC on Saturday afternoon. The Norse rallied late game one before falling, 6-4, and UIC took control early in game two of a 9-1 decision.
Northern Kentucky falls to 9-30 overall and 2-9 in league play, while UIC moves to 26-12 and 12-2 in conference.
The Norse return to Frank Ignatius Grein Softball Field for a mid-week home series with League-rival Wright State on April 19-20. Wednesday's finale follows a Tuesday's doubleheader.
Game One
UIC staked an early 2-0 lead in the first, only to see NKU get one run back in the top of the fourth. McFarland singled to lead off the inning and was sacrificed to second.
Sydney Ferrante's base-knock to left field plated McFarland.
NKU responded to a pair of Flames' runs in the bottom half of the fourth with another tally in the fifth. This time,
Alina Maher singled to lead of the frame and later scored on Nicolette Hays' RBI bunt.
After UIC tacked on solo runs in both the fifth and sixth to stake a 6-2 advantage, NKU answered once more.
Hays drew a walk to get things started and McFarland followed with a single to give the Norse a pair of baserunners with only one out. Both of them advanced a bag on Jordan Harbecek's groundout and then scored on a throwing error on a hit off of
Dani Devlin's bat. However, the Norse were unable to do any more damage in the frame.
Charlie Nolen went the distance for NKU, surrendering six runs – four earned – on eight hits. She fanned four batters and issued just two walks.
Karissa Frazier picked up the victory for the Flames and improved to 5-2.
Game Two
UIC scored in each of the first three innings before NKU got on the board in the fourth. Harbecek rapped a double to center field and gave way to
Ashlynn Roberts on the base pads. Roberts later scored when
Paige McQueen singled to left field.
Northern Kentucky was unable to do any more damage and fell, 9-1.
Both Harbecek and Roberts went 2.1 innings in the circle, but Harbecek took the loss as the starting pitcher. She fell to 5-11.
Bridget Boyle earned the win for UIC, moving to 4-3 on the year.
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