CARBONDALE, Ill. – The Northern Kentucky softball program once again had a flair for the dramatic with another thrilling, seventh-inning game-winning run in the opener to win 4-3 over SIUE, but the Norse were clipped in their second game of the day with a hard-fought, 2-1 loss to Southern Illinois on day No. 2 of the Coach B Classic at Charlotte West Stadium.
 

GAME ONE - THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Northern Kentucky – 4, SIUE – 3 (7 innings)
LOCATION: Charlotte West Stadium – Carbondale, Illinois
RECORDS: NKU 3-4 (0-0 HL), SIUE 2-7 (0-0 OVC) 
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE 
- Alicia Flores started the game in the circle and had a protective afternoon over 4.1 innings as she allowed just seven hits and three runs (one earned) to go with three punchouts.
- Lauryn Hicks picked up the win with 2.2 scoreless innings of relief. She allowed three hits and recorded a strikeout.
- Ella LeMonier, Maddie Lacer, Olivia Pastin and Tatum Biddle all went 1-for-3 at the dish with a single RBI.
- Sydni Barnes had a 2-for-3 opener along with a run scored.
- Jena Rhoads, Hannah Colbert, Barnes and Pastin all scored for the Norse.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED 
- SIUE got on the board first with two unearned runs in the top of the second to jump out to a 2-0 lead.
- NKU answered back in the top of the fourth with back-to-back RBI doubles by Pastin and Biddle to tie the game at 2-2.
- The Norse took their first lead of the game off a LeMonier single to right field that plated Colbert in the top of the fifth to make it a 3-2 contest.
- SIUE responded in the bottom half of the inning with a run of its own to tie things at 3-3.
- Lacer broke the tie in the top of the seventh as she drove a single through the left side that scored Barnes as NKU went back ahead 4-3.
- The Norse slammed the door in the bottom of the seventh to collect the thrilling 4-3 win.
 
 
GAME TWO - THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Northern Kentucky – 1, Southern Illinois – 2 (7 innings)
LOCATION: Charlotte West Stadium – Carbondale, Illinois
RECORDS: NKU 3-5 (0-0 HL), SIU 8-2 (0-0 MVC) 
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE 
- Lauryn Hicks threw a complete game in the circle as she went all six innings with just four hits and two runs (both earned) allowed in the tough luck loss. She also recorded six strikeouts.
- Olivia Pastin (1-for-2) and Jena Rhoads (1-for-3) picked up Northern Kentucky's two hits in the contest.
- Sydni Barnes posted a RBI off a sacrifice fly for NKU's lone run.
- Ella LeMonier drew two walks at the top of the order and she also came around to score once in the contest.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED 
- Southern Illinois jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning.
- It was the only offense SIU would muster for the rest of the contest.
- NKU made it a 2-1 game in the top of the third off a sac fly by Barnes that scored LeMonier.
- The Norse would get a few more chances but the Salukis would not let NKU capitalize as SIU collected the 2-1 non-conference victory.

 
NEXT UP 
The Norse conclude the 2023 Coach B Classic with two final games on Sunday, Feb. 26. Northern Kentucky gets the day underway against SIUE at 11:30 AM ET and follows it with a clash versus DePaul at 1:45 PM. NKU fans and supporters can follow along with the action in real-time here.
 
 
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