CHICAGO – Northern Kentucky softball split its doubleheader with Horizon League-leading UIC to wrap up the three-game series, preventing a sweep for the Flames with an eight-inning 4-3 victory in the series finale. UIC took the first game of the doubleheader, 6-1, before NKU handed the Flames just their second HL loss of the season. With the split, NKU moves to 12-28 overall and 6-9 in League play, while UIC ends the series with a 26-18 (13-2 HL) mark.
Game 1: UIC 6, NKU 1
At the Plate
In the Circle
- Junior Ashlynn Roberts got the start for the Norse, pitching 1.1 innings and allowing three runs on three hits with one strikeout.
- Freshman Taylor Ginther came on to pitch the final 4.2 innings, surrendering three runs on five hits with three strikeouts and no batters walked.
Key Moments
- After not scoring until the 12th inning in Friday's series opener, UIC got on the board early with a run in the first inning courtesy of an RBI ground out.
- The Flames plated two more runs in the second with a two-run home run.
- NKU recorded its lone run of the game in the fourth inning as Meter singled to second base and Alexander went in to pinch run after Meter was advanced to second from a single up the middle from Maher. A fielder's choice allowed Alexander to reach third, after which she took advantage of a throwing error by UIC's shortstop to get the score.
- UIC used a three-run homer to record its final three runs of the contest.
Game 1: NKU 4, UIC 3
At the Plate
- Taylor Brummell led NKU with a 1-for-3 showing and two RBI after knocking the first home run of her NKU career.
- Maher, Meter, McFarland and Toree Stalter also recorded hits, with Stalter going 1-for-1 from the plate and drawing a pair of walks.
- Alexander scored one more run for NKU, as did McFarland and Ava Lawson.
In the Circle
- Senior Charlie Nolen picked up her sixth win of the season after tossing 8.0 innings with three runs and eight hits allowed. Nolen fanned three UIC batters and walked four.
Key Moments
- NKU plated the first run of the contest in the third inning, when McFarland was walked before Brummell unleashed her first home run at NKU to left field.
- UIC answered back with a run scored off a sacrifice fly to get the game within one run.
- Scoring remained stagnant until the bottom of the seventh inning, when an error allowed the Flames to tie the game and push an extra inning.
- The Norse were able to plate two more runs in the eighth, with Meter singling to left field to drive Alexander in before McFarland laced a single to right center to score Lawson.
- That would prove to be enough of an edge for the Norse, as UIC was able to muster just one more run off another sacrifice fly before the close of the frame.
Norse Notes
- The win marked the first over UIC in program history.
- NKU has won at least one game in every Horizon League series this season, including three on the road.
- McFarland led the Norse with a .250 batting average and .250 slugging percentage, driving in one run and scoring one of her own.
- Though recording an appearance in only the series finale, Brummell had an exceptional outing, batting .333 and slugging 1.333 with two RBI and four total bases to pace the team in all categories.
- Brummell's two RBI marked her first multi-RBI game of the season.
- Since moving into the role of first baseman, Maher has reached base in all nine of her games played, which is the longest current streak on the team. McFarland holds an active streak of six games.
- Nolen posted an ERA of 1.37 in the series throughout 19.2 innings pitched and held UIC to a .257 clip throughout two appearances.
Up Next
- NKU will take a short break from Horizon League action after playing three series within a week's span, and will play host to Eastern Kentucky on Tuesday, April 18. First pitch from Grein Field is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET.
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