YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Northern Kentucky Softball (26-27) began the 2022 Horizon League Championship tournament in the best way possible as the No. 6 seeded Norse picked up a win over No. 3 seeded and tournament host, Youngstown State (32-23) Wednesday afternoon by a score of 1-0.
KEY MOMENTS OF THE GAME
- This contest proved to be a pitcher's dual between NKU's Lauryn Hicks and YSU's Sophie Howell. The Penguins looked to have found a break with a deep drive to left center field in the bottom of the fourth inning, however Olivia Pastin was there at the fence to match the catch, ending the Youngstown threat.
- Northern Kentucky took the lead in the top of the fifth as Trinity Robertson ripped a line drive up the middle which saw Pastin score from third for the 1-0 advantage.
- Hicks continued to dominant once again, recording her seventh strikeout of the game in the final inning and getting YSU to fly out to center field to end the game and advance.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Lauryn Hicks (W, 9-7) continues to be on fire in the circle as she threw a one-hit shutout complete game against No. 3 seed Youngstown State. Hicks ended the day with seven total strikeouts, allowing just one walk in the 23 batters faced. In her last five appearances, the junior from Kokomo, Indiana has totaled a 5-0 record, four complete games, two shutouts, 38 strikeouts and has allowed just three earned runs.
- Trinity Robertson provided the clutch RBI single to center field to help see the Norse advance in the #HLSB Championships.
- Olivia Pastin went 2-for-3 on the day with one double.
- Tatum Biddle and Sophie Margelot each recorded one hit a piece in this postseason matchup as well.
INTO THE TWITTER-VERSE
ON DECK
Northern Kentucky Softball will return to action in the #HLSB Championship tournament tomorrow, Thursday, May 12 as the Norse will face No. 2 seed Cleveland State from Youngstown, Ohio with first pitch scheduled for 2:30 p.m. (ET).
#NorseUp
