CHICAGO – Northern Kentucky softball won its first game of the day against No. 5 IUPUI, 3-1, but missed out on a trip to the championship game as the Norse were eliminated from the Horizon League Softball Championship with a 4-1 loss to No. 2 Detroit Mercy. NKU ends its season at 22-23.
Game 1: NKU 3, IUPUI 1
At the Plate
In the Circle
- Taylor Ginther pitched her fourth complete game of the tournament and moved to 16-15 with the win. She is now tied for ninth on NKU's single-season victories list, matching Emily Breitholle (2004) and Krystale Lewallen (2003) with her 16 wins. Ginther struck out three batters and issued just one walk in the game.
Scoring Summary
- NKU took a 2-0 advantage in the second inning, starting with a pair of singles from Rocco and Rossiter. Josie Frazier loaded the bases with a single down the left line, and McFarland singled to center field to drive Rocco and Rossiter in.
- NKU loaded the bases once more in the third, and Rossiter reached on a botched fielder's choice, allowing Mulder to score.
- IUPUI scored in the sixth and threatened NKU's lead as the Jaguars had runners on the corners with no outs. The Norse caught the runner on third stealing and prevented further damage with two more outs quickly after.
Game 2: Detroit Mercy 4, NKU 1
At the Plate
- Detroit Mercy had a 6-5 advantage in hits, and both teams committed three errors.
- Frazier had the lone multi-hit performance, going 2-for-4.
- Jenkins drew three walks in her three trips to the plate.
- Ava Lawson scored NKU's run.
In the Circle
- Ginther added another 6.0 innings as she did not leave the circle for the entirety of the tournament. She struck out three batters and walked one as she ends the season at 16-16.
Scoring Summary
- Detroit Mercy used a pair of doubles to plate three runs in the opening inning.
- The Titans loaded the bases with no outs in the fifth, adding a final run off an RBI single to left field. NKU slowed Detroit Mercy on the next plays, ending the frame on a double play.
- NKU prevented a shutout in the sixth as the Norse loaded the bases. Rocco reached base on an error by the UDM first baseman, allowing Lawson to score.
Record Book Updates
- McFarland finished her career tied for sixth in the NKU record books with 30 stolen bases, matching Jenny Weis' mark from 2006-08. Her 37 career doubles rank seventh in NKU history and she ties Heather Cotner (2003-06) with 27 sacrifices.
- In addition to being ninth in single-season victories, Ginther has made the most starts by a Norse in a single season in program history, surpassing Emily Schwaeble's 34 starts by two. She also ranks third in single-season innings pitched (240.2) and fifth with 26 complete games.
- Lawson finished the season tied for sixth all-time with 14 doubles. She ties the mark with six other Norse, the most recent being McFarland in the 2016 campaign. She is also currently tied for 10th in career doubles, tying Kerry McKee (1998-01) and Dani Devlin (2014-17) with 32.
- Toree Stalter sits at eighth on the all-time career base on balls list, drawing 55 walks.
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