CLEVELAND, Ohio – Northern Kentucky absorbed a 2-1 defeat Tuesday at Cleveland State and dropped to 14-20 (4-8 Horizon League) on the season.
 
The Norse broke open a scoreless game in the top of the sixth, but the Vikings rallied for two runs in the bottom of the inning and held on to claim the series 2-1.
 
At the Plate

• NKU out-hit Cleveland State 7-5, led by Jenna O'Hair, who went 3-for-3.
• Kendyl McKeough went 1-for-2 with a walk. She doubled and scored NKU's run.
• Olivia Pastin doubled and reached on a sac bunt via a fielder's choice to first.
• Jordan Jenkins and Ella LeMonier each had a hit.

In the Circle

• Lauryn Hicks struck out three of the first five batters and pitched three hitless innings before Jenna Deang singled in the top of the fourth. In five innings' work, Hicks allowed just two hits and no runs. She struck out seven and walked none.
• Alicia Flores (3-7) took over in the bottom of the sixth. She gave up three hits and two runs, both earned. She struck out none and walked none.

At a Glance

• NKU amassed three hits and left two on base in the first two innings. In the top of the second, Jenna O'Hair singled to short stop and Olivia Pastin doubled to left center. O'Hair rounded third and came home but was thrown out at the plate.
• The Vikings notched their first hit in the bottom of the fourth.
• Kendyl McKeough started off the sixth inning with a double to left center. Jordan Jenkins laid down a sacrifice bunt and reached on a fielding error as McKeough came home for the 1-0 Norse lead.
• The Vikings' Brooke Albaugh drove in two runs in the bottom of the sixth to push her team ahead 2-1 in what became a permanent lead.
• NKU left seven on base. Cleveland State stranded three. 

Next Up
NKU returns home to host Horizon League foe Robert Morris in a three-game series. The Norse face the Colonials at 4 p.m. Friday at Frank Ignatius Grein Field and return Saturday for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.