CARBONDALE, Ill. – After splitting its first two games of the Coach B Classic at Charlotte West Stadium, Northern Kentucky (8-10) lost back-to-back contests on day two. The Norse absorbed a 4-0 shutout in a true road game at Southern Illinois March 5 and were defeated 2-1 by Ball State later that evening.
 
GAME ONE: Southern Illinois 4, NKU 0
At the Plate

• Southern Illinois pitcher Madi Eberle (3-3) threw a two-hit shutout and largely stymied the Norse bats. Olivia Pastin singled to in the top of the fourth and advanced to second on Kendyl McKeough's sac bunt but was stranded there.
• McKeough doubled to right center in the top of the seventh but advanced no further. It was her fourth double this season, a team-best.

In the Circle

• Alicia Flores (2-4) absorbed the loss. In 3.2 innings, she struck out five, walked three, hit three batters with pitches, allowed four hits and gave up two runs (both earned).
• Lauryn Hicks entered the game on two outs in the bottom of the fourth and pitched 2.1 innings. She struck out 2, walked none, gave up four hits and allowed two runs (both earned).

At a Glance

• The Salukis threatened in the bottom of the third, loading the bases on two outs, but Alicia Flores struck out Elisabeth Huckleberry and stranded the runners.
• The game was scoreless until the bottom of the fourth. Leadoff batter Sidney Sikes was hit by a pitch, starting a sequence of events that led to another bases loaded scenario when Ashley Wood also was hit by a pitch. Aubree DePron drove in two runs with a single up the middle.
• DePron added another RBI in the sixth and Emma Austin made it 4-0 by scoring on a wild pitch. DePron went 3-for-4 for the day with 3 RBI.

 
GAME TWO: Ball State 2, NKU 1
At the Plate

• The Norse amassed four hits in this game, one each by Olivia Pastin, (1-for-4), Ella LeMonier (1-for-3, run scored), Jordan Jenkins (1-for-4, RBI) and Trinity Robertson (1-for-3).

In the Circle

• Madisyn Eads (3-3) struck out four. She hit two batters with pitches, allowed six hits and surrendered two runs (both earned).

At a Glance

• After trailing by one run in the bottom of the fourth, NKU rallied for the tie in the top of the fifth. Ella LeMonier and Kendyl McKeough walked and advanced to third and second, respectively, on a wild pitch. Jordan Jenkins singled to right field and reached third on the throw while LeMonier scored the Norse's lone run.
• The Cardinals scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth. Faith Hensley led off with a home run for a 2-1 edge and the eventual Ball State victory.

Next Up
The Norse conclude the Coach B Classic with a rematch against No. 17 Northwestern at 1:15 p.m. Sunday.