CONWAY, S.C. – Northern Kentucky softball dropped its morning game against UConn in an 11-3 six-inning decision, but the Norse immediately bounced back and avenged its earlier loss to North Dakota with a 6-3 win over the Fighting Hawks. NKU earned its first win of the season and moves to 1-7 overall on the season.
Game 1: UConn 11, NKU 3
At the Plate
- Junior third baseman Sydney Ferrante and senior catcher Dani Devlin both recorded home runs in the setback, the seventh and 11th of their respective careers. Ferrante went 1-for-4, while Devlin was 1-for-3.
- Freshman outfielder Ava Lawson and senior Paige McQueen both went 2-of-3 at the dish, with Lawson recording her second straight multi-hit game and third on the season, while McQueen added a run batted in.
In the Circle
- Junior Ashlynn Roberts made the start, allowing 12 hits and nine runs. Roberts recorded NKU's lone three strikeouts of the contest, and dips to 4-25 for her career.
Key Moments
- Ferrante got the game started quickly with a leadoff home run in the bottom of the first, and the Norse established a 2-0 lead when McQueen doubled to right center to drive Taylor Brummell in.
- The Huskies retaliated with four runs plated in the top of the second to take the lead before Devlin's home run in the bottom of the fourth brought the Norse within one, 4-3.
- UConn sealed the game in the sixth inning, posting seven runs that were kicked off by a two-RBI home run. NKU was unable to reach home in the bottom of the frame, ending the contest in six innings.
Norse Notes
- The meeting marked the first in program history between the two programs.
- Ferrante extended both her hitting and reached base streaks to five games, which leads the team.
- Lawson's three multi-hit games lead the team, as no other player recorded multiple multi-hit games this season.
Game 2: NKU 6, North Dakota 3
At the Plate
In the Circle
- Senior Charlie Nolen was credited with the win, bringing her career record to 5-17. Nolen pitched 5.1 innings, allowing six hits and three runs while walking two, and struck out one batter.
- Freshman Taylor Ginther finished out the remaining 1.2 innings, allowing two hits and walking one.
Key Moments
- Like the game prior, NKU started off scoring with a home run. McFarland scored the lone run of the second inning to give the Norse a 1-0 lead.
- NKU extended the lead to 4-0 when an error by North Dakota's shortstop gave way for McFarland, Devlin and Isabell Alexander to score.
- The Norse plated their final two runs in the fifth inning, as a double from Toree Stalter drove in McFarland and Summer Libecap to give the Norse a 6-0 edge.
- North Dakota recorded a trio of runs in the sixth, but was unable to overcome the deficit and went runless in the final inning to close out action.
Norse Notes
- NKU now leads the all-time series with the Fighting Hawks, 2-1. The series is tied since both teams transitioned to Division I.
- Devlin and McFarland recorded their second multi-hit games of the season.
- Ferrante extended both her hitting and reached base streak to six games, which leads the team.
Up Next
- The Norse finish play at the Coastal Carolina Invitational with games against UConn and Coastal Carolina. NKU plays the Huskies first at noon and turns around to play the Chanticleers at 2:30 p.m.
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