HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky softball split a doubleheader on Wednesday, but clinched a series win against Youngstown State. NKU took the first game, 3-1, before falling 2-0 in the finale. NKU moves to 16-26 on the year and 9-8 in Horizon League play, while YSU moves to 22-24 (10-6 Horizon).
Game 1: NKU 3, Youngstown State 1
At the Plate
- Both teams recorded five hits in the contest.
- Ava Lawson posted the only multi-hit game for the Norse, going 2-for-3 from the plate with a run scored.
- Taylor Hoover was 1-for-3 with two runs driven in, while Jordan Jenkins also added an RBI.
In the Circle
- Emily Koperdak pitched a gem of a game, striking out a career-high 10 batters while walking just one in a complete-game effort. She moves to 3-13 on the season with the victory.
Scoring Summary
- Northern Kentucky scored all three of its runs in the fourth inning. Zahrya McFarland and Lawson started off the frame with a pair of singles, and they were driven in off a deep double to left field by Hoover. Jenkins then reached base on an error by the YSU first baseman, allowing Hoover to score.
- Youngstown State scored its lone run in the fifth inning, starting with a leadoff single up the middle that was driven in off a single to left field.
Game 2: Youngstown State 2, NKU 0
At the Plate
In the Circle
- Taylor Ginther pitched the full game, striking out two batters and walking one. She falls to 10-12 with the setback.
Scoring Summary
- Youngstown State scored quickly in the contest, using a pair of singles to cross the plate for a 1-0 lead in the first.
- The Penguins made it 2-0 as YSU sent a runner on third home off a squeeze play.
Up Next
- NKU will have a quick turnaround before its next series, heading to Detroit Mercy on Friday-Saturday, April 26-27. Friday will feature a 3 p.m. single game, with the series wrapping up with a noon doubleheader on Saturday. All three games will be broadcast on ESPN+.
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