CARBONDALE, Ill. – Northern Kentucky softball split the second day of the Coach B Classic, posting a 6-2 win over Purdue Fort Wayne before falling to host Southern Illinois, 5-0. The Norse move to 6-6 on the season.
Game 1: NKU 6, Purdue Fort Wayne 2
At the Plate
In the Circle
- Caitlin Karo got the start for the Norse and moves to 2-1. She struck out five batters and walked two while allowing a pair of earned runs.
- Taylor Ginther pitched the final 2.0 innings for NKU, fanning two batters and allowing one hit.
Scoring Summary
- Northern Kentucky opened the door for its scoring in the third inning, as Stalter led things off by drawing a walk. McDaniel followed up with a single up the middle, and Lawson knocked a home run over left center to drive in three runs.
- The Mastodons were able to load the bases in the bottom of the fifth thanks to a pair of singles and a fielding error. With two outs and a full count, Lawson prevented any runs by making the out from center field.
- Whitmer and Mulder drew walks to start the sixth, with Whitmer being driven in off a double to left center by Rossiter. A third walk drawn by O'Hair allowed NKU to load the bases, with Mulder scoring on a fielder's choice.
- The Mastodons avoided a shutout after loading the bases once more in the sixth. This time, a single up the middle gave Purdue Fort Wayne its first run of the game, followed by a bases-loaded hit by pitch for a second score.
- NKU added one more run in the final frame, with Lawson reaching base on an error by the Purdue Fort Wayne second baseman. She advanced to second on a single by Taylor Hoover and scored on a fielder's choice.
Game 2: Southern Illinois 5, NKU 0
At the Plate
- Southern Illinois recorded a 7-5 advantage in hits.
- Whitmer had a multi-hit outing, going 2-for-3. Stalter, McDaniel and Lawson also added hits.
In the Circle
- Ashlyn Zuberer pitched the first 1.2 innings for NKU, falling to 1-3 with the loss.
- Faith Howard added 3.1 innings of work, and Lauryn Hicks finished the game out with 1.0 innings in the circle.
Scoring Summary
- The Salukis scored in the first inning as two walks and a single loaded the bases. A two-out double up the middle sent two across the plate for an early advantage.
- Southern Illinois loaded the bases again in the second inning, plating a run with a walk.
- Two more runs came in the sixth for the Salukis, once again set up by loading the bases. A walk and a single through the left side allowed SIU to take its final 5-0 lead.
Norse Notes
- Stalter extends her reached-base streak to all 12 games.
- Lawson's home run was her fourth of the season and 14th of her career. She is now tied for seventh all-time in career homers, matching Shatona Campbell (2006-09) and Kate Bartolovich (2015-18).
Up Next
- The Norse take on Creighton tomorrow in the final game of the Coach B Classic. First pitch is set for 10 a.m. CT/11 a.m. ET.
#NorseUp
