CHICAGO – Northern Kentucky softball fell to Horizon League-leading UIC on Saturday afternoon in both games of a doubleheader. The Flames took the first game, a high-scoring, five-inning contest, by a final score of 17-9. UIC then claimed a 7-4 victory in the finale. The Norse move to 14-25 overall and 7-7 in league play, while UIC advances to 22-20 (12-3 Horizon).
Game 1: UIC 17, NKU 9 (5 innings)
At the Plate
- In a high-hitting matchup, the Flames posted a 21-11 advantage in hits.
- Ava Lawson led the way for the Norse, going 3-for-4 from the plate with two runs scored and two driven in. All three of her hits were doubles, giving her 13 on the season.
- Josie Frazier went 2-for-3 with a team-high three runs scored for the only other multi-hit game for the Norse.
- Madi Mulder was 1-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored, while Kit Rocco and Emily Koperdak were both 1-for-3 with two runs driven in.
In the Circle
- Koperdak pitched 1.1 innings for the Norse and was credited with the loss, dropping to 2-13.
- Hailey Whitmer added 3.1 innings of work.
Scoring Summary
- Northern Kentucky struck first as Frazier and Zahrya McFarland were both walked to start the contest. Rocco singled to the UIC shortstop, driving Frazier in for a run.
- UIC answered back with three home runs, including a two-run shot, to jump out to a 4-1 lead by the bottom of the frame.
- The Flames plated four more runs off five hits in the second inning for an 8-1 advantage.
- Lawson led off the third inning with a double, and she was driven in off Mulder's second collegiate home run.
- UIC used a trio of singles to add another run in the bottom of the third.
- Another double from Lawson allowed Frazier to cross the plate again in the fourth inning. A two-out walk drawn by Mulder loaded the bases, and Rocco was hit by pitch to send McFarland across the plate. Whitmer then drew a walk, scoring Lawson. Koperdak then brought the Norse within a run with a two-run single to second base, sending Kambra Crist and Whitmer home.
- UIC added some more cushion to its lead in the bottom of the fourth as a single and a fielding error allowed three Flames to cross the plate. A two-run homer on the next at-bat put UIC up, 14-8.
- Lawson clubbed her third triple of the contest in the fifth, sending Frazier home.
- A single followed by an error on the throw allowed UIC to end the contest in five innings as the Flames added three runs on the play.
Game 2: UIC 7, NKU 4
At the Plate
- The Flames outhit the Norse, 13-7, with seven different Norse recording a hit.
- Frazier, Lawson, Mulder and Stalter each drove in a run.
In the Circle
- Taylor Ginther pitched a complete game, striking out one batter and walking two. She moves to 9-11 with the setback.
Scoring Summary
- Both teams were held scoreless until the third NKU plated all four of its runs in the third frame, starting with a single to left field by Jordan Jenkins. Alexis McDaniel entered the contest to run and was driven in by Stalter's single down the left field line. Frazier delivered a single up the middle, scoring Kailey Rossiter before Lawson sent Stalter home with a shot through the right side. Mulder drove in the final run, singling to left field to score Frazier.
- The Flames answered back with four runs in the bottom of the inning with a pair of RBI singles.
- UIC added an RBI single in the fourth and fifth innings, and an RBI groundout rounded out the Flames' scoring as they took a 7-4 lead.
Up Next
- NKU returns home against Youngstown State for a midweek series on Tuesday-Wednesday, April 23-24. Tuesday will be a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. while Wednesday will be a 2 p.m. single game. All three games of the series will be broadcast on ESPN+.
#TakeNotice
