EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Northern Kentucky softball dropped its last two games of the SIUE Tournament, falling to the host Cougars in a six-inning 8-0 setback before a 3-0 loss to Ball State. With the pair of losses, NKU drops to 5-15 on the season, while SIUE moved on to 21-5 and the Cardinals advanced to 14-16.
Game 1: SIUE 8, NKU 0
At the Plate
- NKU registered just one hit, with Taylor Brummell spoiling SIUE's Emily Ingles' bid at a perfect game. Brummell went 1-for-2 with a double in the sixth inning.
In the Circle
- Senior Paige McQueen made the start for the Norse, pitching 4.1 innings and allowing eight hits and six runs while striking out two batters and walking none. McQueen drops to 0-6 for the season.
Key Moments
- NKU did not get a runner on base until the sixth inning, with Ingles striking out the entire batting order for the first nine of her 14 strikeouts.
- SIUE scored in the second inning on a fielding error, but put the game away in the fifth frame with five runs to give the Cougars a 5-0 advantage. The sixth inning saw SIUE plate two more runs, invoking the run rule and securing the 8-0 win.
Game 2: Ball State 3, NKU 0
At the Plate
- In a low-hitting affair on both sides, the Norse registered just two hits in the setback.
- Freshmen Kailey Rossiter and Ava Lawson went 1-for-2 from the plate. Rossiter added a stolen base for the first of her career.
In the Circle
- Junior Ashlynn Roberts pitched the full seven innings, allowing four hits and three runs. Roberts struck out two batters, but also walked eight.
Key Moments
- Lawson registered the first hit of either team with a single up the middle in the top of the second before Rossiter singled through the left to join Lawson on base. The Norse were able to load the bases after Toree Stalter drew a walk, but could not find a way to score as the frame came to a close.
- Ball State got on the board with a home run to lead off the third inning, and its offense remained relatively silent until the seventh inning. The Cardinals used a single down the right line and a sac fly to drive in two runs, bringing the score to its final count of 3-0.
Norse Notes
- NKU dropped to 8-22 all-time against SIUE, which was a common opponent in the Division II era when both teams competed in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. It was the first meeting since both teams transitioned to Division I.
- The meeting was the first in program history against Ball State.
Up Next
- After the previously scheduled home opener was cancelled last week, NKU's home opener will be on Wednesday, March 22, when the Norse host Miami (Ohio) for a doubleheader. The first pitch against the RedHawks is scheduled for 2 p.m. from Grein Softball Field.
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