HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky softball returns to Grein Softball Stadium this weekend as it will serve as the host site for NKU's Horizon League series against Oakland. Since the series was originally scheduled to be held in Rochester, Michigan, but had to be relocated due to anticipated inclement weather, Oakland will still serve as the home team per HL OR 15.5.6. The series kicks off with a 2 p.m. doubleheader on Friday, March 29, before a single game on Saturday, March 30 at noon.
 
LAST TIME OUT: NKU went toe-to-toe with reigning Mid-American Conference champion Ohio, preventing the Bobcats from reaching base until the fifth inning and kept them hitless until the sixth frame. However, Ohio needed just three hits to plate a trio of runs and go ahead of the Norse in the 3-1 final count. Taylor Ginther pitched the complete game, striking out four batters and walking just one. Josie Frazier scored NKU's lone run of the game off an error by the Ohio catcher.
 
SCOUTING OAKLAND: The Golden Grizzlies hold an 8-16 overall record and have gone 1-5 in Horizon League action, with the lone win coming against Detroit Mercy, 7-6, in the most recent series. Despite their record, the Golden Grizzlies have seven players batting over .300, led by Brittney Miller's .431 batting average, and boast the No. 31 batting average in the nation at .308. Miller and Mikayela Marciniak have both driven in 16 runs, trailing Jamie Squires' 20 runs driven in on the year. The Golden Grizzlies rank 14th nationally with 1.77 doubles per game, with Marciniak and Kelsie Swanson each posting seven on the year. Oakland scores 5.18 runs per game, ranking 70th nationally, but the pitching corps holds a 5.33 ERA. Lauryn DeBono holds the lowest ERA on the team at 4.07 and has struck out 38 batters in 43.0 innings of work. Chelsea Wiggins has also spent a considerable time in the circle, fanning 21 batters in 56.1 innings pitched for a 3-7 record and a 5.09 ERA. Oakland holds a 7-2 advantage in the all-time series. Last year, the two teams were able to get just two games in, with the Golden Grizzlies winning by scores of 5-3 and 3-1.