SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Northern Kentucky's five-game winning streak ended Friday afternoon with a 4-0 loss to USC Upstate at Cyrill Stadium.
 
The Spartans (6-0) shut out the Norse behind right-hander Hannah Houge, who struck out 13 and improved to 4-0. NKU (5-2) fell behind in the fourth inning and never recovered in its second game of the Upstate Classic. 
 
At the Plate

• NKU had four hits throughout, and Ella LeMonier and Kendyl McKeough accounted for half of those hits in the top of the fourth. LeMonier also stole second base. 
• Jenna O'Hair made contact with a bunt single in the top of the sixth.
• Trinity Robertson doubled to right center in the top of the seventh.

In the Circle

• Freshman Alicia Flores (1-1) pitched six innings. She allowed seven hits, four runs (all earned), walked one and struck out two.

At a Glance

• The Norse did not reach base until the top of the fourth inning when Ella LeMonier singled to short stop. Although the Norse loaded the bases on two outs, an ensuing strikeout stranded all three runners.
• The Spartans scored a run in the fourth and fifth innings. Casey Goguts homered in the top of the sixth and Celeste Delorenzo capped the team's scoring with a RBI double. 

Next Up
        NKU plays Canisius at noon Saturday in the Upstate Classic and then faces host USC Upstate for the second time in as many days. The rematch is at 2:30 p.m. at Cyrill Stadium.