CHICAGO – Northern Kentucky softball picked up its first postseason win of the Division I era as it advanced to the second day of the 2019 Horizon League Championship. The Norse fell in their opening game to No. 5 seed IUPUI, 1-0, but bounced back with a 6-0 shutout of No. 3 Youngstown State. NKU recorded its 20th win of the season, moving to 20-32 on the year.
Game 1: IUPUI 1, NKU 0
At the Plate
- The Norse posted an 8-4 advantage in hits.
- Ava Lawson was a perfect 3-for-3 from the plate. She doubled in her first at-bat to give her 14 doubles on the season and tie for sixth on NKU's all-time single-season doubles list.
- Taylor Hoover was 2-for-2 and Jordan Jenkins was 2-for-3 with a double.
In the Circle
- Taylor Ginther moved to 13-15 on the season, absorbing the loss after pitching the complete game. Ginther struck out one batter and walked one.
Scoring Summary
- The lone run of the game came in the fourth inning. IUPUI's leadoff batter was hit by a pitch and advanced on a single and a sac bunt. She then scored off a wild pitch to give the Jaguars the only run they needed to take the win.
- NKU had several scoring opportunities, but IUPUI made crucial defensive plays both at the plate and in the outfield to keep the Norse scoreless.
Game 2: NKU 6, Youngstown State 0
At the Plate
- The Norse out-hit the Penguins, 10-5.
- Zahrya McFarland went 3-for-4, scoring two runs and driving in one.
- Madi Mulder and Kit Rocco also had multi-hit outings, with Mulder going 2-for-3 with a run scored and one driven in while Rocco was 2-for-4 with two RBI.
In the Circle
- Ginther pitched another complete game, striking out three batters and walking one to move to 14-15 on the year. The junior tossed her fifth complete-game shutout of the season, and the third in her last four appearances.
Scoring Summary
- The Norse got off to a quick start, plating three runs on three hits in the first inning. McFarland singled to third and stole second before she was driven in off a single though the left side by Hoover. Hoover and Mulder then scored on a two-out, two-run single by Rocco down the left field line.
- Lawson added a solo home run in the second inning to give the Norse a 4-0 edge.
- NKU added a pair of two-out runs in the sixth. Toree Stalter reached base on an error and eventually scored off a McFarland single to second base. McFarland added another stolen base and scored on a single through the right side by Mulder.
Up Next
- NKU will continue its run in the Horizon League Championship tomorrow evening at 5 p.m. CT/6 ET. The Norse will play the lower seed of tomorrow's two losers. No. 1 seed UIC will play No. 5 IUPUI at noon, followed by No. 2 Detroit Mercy against No. 6 Oakland. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
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