HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Horizon League office announced Monday afternoon that Northern Kentucky Softball student-athlete Lauryn Hicks was selected as the Nike #HLSB Pitcher of the Week.

"Lauryn was in control from the first inning of the weekend," said head coach Kathryn Gleason. "She was in command of all her pitches. We are very proud of how she performed for the team in the series."

Hicks, a junior from Kokomo, Indiana, helped anchor the Norse in a three-game series against Horizon League opponent Purdue Fort Wayne this past weekend. She was nearly untouchable in the circle versus the Mastodons, picking up two wins during this road series. Hicks finished the weekend with a 2-0 record, two complete games, one shutout, 14.0 IP, 22 strikeouts and an opponent batting average of .111. Hicks also only allowed five hits and one earned run during her two complete game victories.

She boosted her season record to 8-7, along with tying her career-high in strikeouts in each game with 11. Her dominance in the circle helped the Norse secure the No. 6 seed in the Horizon League Championship tournament as well. Hicks finished the regular season totaling four consecutive wins and three complete games. She additionally ended the year ranked fourth in the Horizon League in strikeouts (148) and tied for seventh in total wins (8) in the conference. 

Northern Kentucky Softball now looks ahead to the Horizon League Championship tournament, which is set to begin on Wednesday, May 11. The Norse will be the No. 6 seed and face No. 3 seed Youngstown State in the first round at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN+ from Youngstown, Ohio.