HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky softball split a doubleheader against Cleveland State, shutting the Vikings out in the opener, 3-0, before falling in eight innings, 9-6. The Norse move to 18-31 overall and 11-11 in Horizon League play while Cleveland State now sits at 15-33 (8-15 Horizon).
Game 1: NKU 3, Cleveland State 0
At the Plate
In the Circle
- Taylor Ginther pitched her third complete-game shutout of the season while allowing just one hit and permitting one walk. The junior hurler struck out five batters and moves to 12-13 on the season.
Scoring Summary
- Frazier led off the game with a single to the Cleveland State third baseman, advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt from Zahrya McFarland and third on a wild pitch. Another wild pitch allowed Frazier to score from third to give the Norse a 1-0 edge.
- In the second, Rossiter reached base on a fielder's choice and was driven in off a two-run homer from Stalter. It marked the third home run of Stalter's career, and her first at Grein Stadium.
Game 2: Cleveland State 9, NKU 6
At the Plate
- Cleveland State posted a 16-12 advantage in a high-hitting affair.
- McFarland Stalter, Jordan Jenkins, Ava Lawson and all had multi-hit outings. McFarland was 3-for-5 with a pair of runs driven in and one run scored.
- Lawson was 2-for-4 with three RBI thanks to her second home run of the season.
- Jenkins went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored, while Stalter was 2-for-4 with a run scored and one driven in.
In the Circle
- Emily Koperdak got the start in the circle, pitching 2.0 innings and surrendering four runs on four hits.
- Hailey Whitmer pitched the remaining 6.0 innings in relief, allowing five runs on 10 hits. She takes the loss and falls to 3-3 on the year.
Scoring Summary
- The Vikings got off to a quick start, plating four runs off a double and a home run that drove in two runs apiece.
- NKU got within a run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Jenkins led off with a double to left field and was driven in by Stalter's single through the left side. McFarland then sent Stalter and Isabell Alexander home with a single to center field.
- Cleveland State tacked on two more runs in the sixth inning with a double to center field, extending out to a 6-3 lead.
- Lawson answered back in the bottom of the frame and tied the game up with a three-run home run over center field, scoring Stalter and McFarland.
- The Vikings led off the eighth inning with a double, and that runner was driven in off a single to center field. Another single allowed Cleveland State to score another pair of runs for a 9-6 advantage.
Up Next
- The series wraps up tomorrow, May 5, with a noon single game dependent upon weather conditions. The Norse will honor their seniors, Zahrya McFarland and Kara Meter, prior to first pitch.
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