CHARLESTON, S.C. – Northern Kentucky softball won its tournament opener against UMass Lowell before a five-inning setback to the College of Charleston to kick off the Holy City Showdown. The Norse go into the second day of the tournament holding a 2-11 record after splitting the day.
Game 1: NKU 8, UMass Lowell 6
At the Plate
- The Norse were out-hit by the River Hawks, 12-9, but NKU's powerful bats were able to drive in key runs to take the lead early on.
- Senior catcher Dani Devlin had one of the strongest appearances of her career at the dish, going 3-for-3 with two home runs and a double while driving in four of NKU's eight runs. Her pair of homers marked the first time that Devlin had recorded more than one home run in a game.
- Sophomore outfielder Zahrya McFarland also recorded a home run for the Norse with a three-run homer in the top of the first to put NKU up early.
- Junior infielder Sydney Ferrante went 3-for-4 with two runs for her second multi-hit game of the season.
In the Circle
- Junior Ashlynn Roberts pitched her first win of the season, moving to 5-25 for her career. Roberts tossed 4.0 innings, allowing four hits and one run while allowing no walks and striking out one batter.
- Freshman Taylor Ginther pitched 2.0 innings for the Norse, while fellow Rookie Vega Theophilus took over for the final inning.
Key Moments
- The Norse established a lead early on, 3-0, with McFarland knocking in her second home run of the season and third of her career to drive in Alexis McDaniel and Dani Devlin.
- NKU extended to a 5-0 lead when Devlin recorded her first home run of the game in the third inning, sending Ferrante across the plate for a two-RBI homer.
- The River Hawks got their first score in the fourth inning, and both teams plated two runs apiece in the fifth with Devlin driving in McDaniel with her second home run of the contest.
- Despite three runs in the seventh inning, UMass Lowell was unable to tie up the contest and push extra innings as the Norse walked away with the 8-6 victory.
Norse Notes
- The meeting marked the first in program history between the two teams.
- Ferrante extended both her hitting and reached base streaks to 10 games, which leads the team as no other Norse holds a current hitting streak beyond one game.
- The last time a Norse had two home runs in a game was on April 29, 2016, when Kate Bartolovich recorded a pair against Green Bay.
Game 2: College of Charleston 8, NKU 0
At the Plate
In the Circle
- Senior Paige McQueen pitched 4.1 innings, allowing 10 hits and eight runs.
Key Moments
- The Cougars plated five runs in the first inning off five hits to take the lead quickly.
- NKU was retired in order in the first four innings and recorded its first hits in the fifth with McQueen and McFarland both singling to center field.
- Charleston invoked the run rule in the fifth inning when a triple to left center with loaded bases pushed the Cougars to an 8-0 advantage, ending the contest early.
Up Next
- NKU continues action at the Holy City Showdown tomorrow with games against RV/RV North Carolina and Robert Morris. First pitch against the Tar Heels is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., followed by the tilt with the Patriots at 6 p.m.
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