HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky lost Oakland 5-4 Friday at Frank Ignatius Grein Softball Field, capping a three-game sweep by the Golden Grizzlies.
 
The Norse (8-15) gained a big offensive boost by Kendyl McKeough, who hit two home runs, and Jordan Jenkins, whose RBI double in the top of the sixth knotted the game at four.
 
Oakland (7-6) scored the game-winning run in the top of the seventh.
 
Former Northern Kentucky University athletic director and softball, volleyball and basketball coach Jane Meier threw out the first pitch in honor of the 50th year anniversary of Title IX.  
 
At the Plate

• Kendyl McKeough's two-run home run in the bottom of the first was her fifth homer this season. She hit her sixth home run in the fourth inning. For the day, McKeough went 2-for-3 with the two home runs, 3 RBI and two runs scored.
• Jordan Jenkins' double in the top of the sixth scored Ella LeMonier and tied the game at four. Jenkins went 2-for-3 with the double and RBI.

In the Circle

• Alicia Flores struck out three, walked three, allowed four hits and surrendered three runs (all earned) in three innings. She faced two batters in the top of the fourth.
• Madisyn Eads (3-5) took over in the top of the fourth with two runners on base and no outs. She struck out two, walked two, allowed five hits and two earned runs.

 
At a Glance

• Ella LeMonier started things off for NKU with a single past the short stop in the bottom of the first before stealing second. Kendyl McKeough plated LeMonier via a two-run blast past the left field fence.
• The Golden Grizzlies got on the board in the top of the third. Lauren Griffith doubled to left field, scoring Madison Brown and making it 2-1.
• Oakland twice loaded the bases in the top of the fourth. Cammie Brummitt came to bat on two outs and hit the ball to short. A force out at second base initially ended the half-inning but the call was overturned, qualifying the runner as safe and validating Madi Herrington's game-tying score. The Golden Grizzlies then took the lead on Lauren Griffith's two RBI.
• Kendyl McKeough hit her second home run of the day, this time to right center, to bring NKU within one run in the bottom of the fourth.
• Although the Golden Grizzlies had eight hits through five innings, seven runners were left on base – including one stranded on third when Jordan Jenkins made a tremendous catch on a foul ball to end the top of the fifth.
• Ella LeMonier singled in the bottom of the sixth, stole second on a wild pitch and reached third on Kendyl McKeough's ground out. Jordan Jenkins plated Lemonier with a double, tying the game at four.
• After Oakland loaded the bases in the top of the seventh, Madi Herrington flied out to left field and Lauren Griffith crossed home plate for the game-winning score.
• Oakland amassed nine hits. NKU finished with six.

Next Up

• The Norse host Western Illinois at Frank Ignatius Grein Softball Field, March 15 at 3 p.m.