CLEVELAND – Northern Kentucky softball split its final road doubleheader of the season, winning the first game against Cleveland State, 3-2, before falling 5-1 to the Vikings. The Norse move to 21-20 overall and 8-11 in Horizon League action while the Vikings advance to 15-29 (5-12 HL). NKU has won its last two series after taking down Green Bay last weekend.
Game 1: NKU 3, Cleveland State 2
At the Plate
- Both teams recorded six hits in the opening game.
- Taylor Brummell had the only multi-hit game for the Norse, going 2-for-4 from the plate with a run driven in and a run scored.
- Ava Lawson also drove in a run and scored one on her own as she went 1-for-1 and drew three walks.
In the Circle
- Taylor Ginther started in the circle and pitched 5.2 innings with five batters struck out and three walked. She moved to 9-10 with the victory.
- Ashlynn Roberts picked up her second save of the season in 1.1 innings of work, fanning three batters and walking none while not allowing a hit.
Scoring Summary
- NKU opened up scoring in the first when Lawson drew a leadoff walk and was advanced by Kailey Rossiter on a sacrifice bunt. Brummell clubbed a double to left center to send Lawson home and give the Norse an early lead.
- The Norse plated one run in the fifth and sixth to extend out to a 3-0 lead. In the fifth, Josie Frazier singled on a bunt and was driven in off a double from Lawson. Brummell plated NKU's run in the sixth, singling through the left before scoring on a throwing error.
- Cleveland State drove in a pair of runs to threaten NKU's lead before Roberts entered the contest and struck out the final batter in the frame. She posted two more strikeouts in the seventh to help NKU hold onto the edge.
Game 2: Cleveland State 5, NKU 1
At the Plate
- The Vikings out-hit the Norse, 7-5.
- Brummell had another multi-hit outing, going 2-for-4 from the plate with a run scored.
- Zahrya McFarland drove in NKU's lone run and was 1-for-2. She also drew NKU's only walk of the game.
In the Circle
- Ashlynn Roberts moved to 9-7 with the loss. She struck out four batters, but walked five.
- Faith Howard pitched the final 2.0 innings for NKU, allowing two hits and did not walk any batters.
Scoring Summary
- Cleveland State scored first with a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the second. NKU quickly tied the contest up in the top of the first when McFarland singled down the left, driving in Brummell, but the Vikings took the lead for good in the bottom of the frame.
- A fielder's choice allowed Cleveland State to take a 2-1 lead. CSU extended out to a 5-1 advantage with three runs in the fourth courtesy of a two-RBI double and another run off a fielder's choice.
Up Next
- NKU wraps up the regular season next weekend when it hosts Detroit Mercy on Friday and Saturday, May 4-5. The series begins with a 4 p.m. single game on Friday and concludes with a noon doubleheader on Saturday, when the Norse will recognize its senior class.
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