DURHAM, N.C. – No. 19 Michigan's softball team erupted for three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and held on to defeat Northern Kentucky 3-0 in the Duke Invitational, Friday at Duke University Softball Stadium.
 
The Norse had a runner in scoring position in the top of the sixth, as Kendyl McKeough reached on an error, advanced to second on a wild pitch and raced to third on a passed ball. But the Norse couldn't bring her home and Michigan's four-hit, three-run half-inning ensued.
 
The tightly-contested outing featured 5.5 scoreless innings.  
 
At the Plate

• NKU finished with two hits. Megan Lenhart and Sophie Margelot singled in the top of the fifth inning.
• The Norse seized offensive opportunities via the Wolverines' three errors. NKU left seven on base throughout. Michigan's pitchers combined for 12 strikeouts.

In the Circle

• Alicia Flores (2-2) pitched 5.1 innings and absorbed the loss. She struck out three, walked five, allowed five hits and surrendered three earned runs. Madisyn Eads took over in the bottom of the sixth and faced two batters. She gave up one hit.

At a Glance

• Michigan changed the game's complexion in the bottom of the sixth when Kristina Burkhardt doubled down the left field line. Taylor Bump singled, moving Burkhardt to third, and Hannah Carson's home run to center field drove in three runs. The Wolverines finished with six hits throughout and left four on base. 

Next up

• NKU faces invitational host No. 13 Duke at 1 p.m. Saturday at Duke Softball Stadium. The Norse round out the trip with a 7 p.m. rematch against No. 19 Michigan.