HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky softball program began Horizon League Play with a bang as the Norse claimed back-to-back victories over Green Bay in the home opener from Frank Ignatius Grein Field Thursday afternoon.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Northern Kentucky – 10, Green Bay – 1 (5 innings)
LOCATION: Frank Ignatius Grein Field – Highland Heights, KY
RECORDS: NKU 6-15 (1-0 HL), Green Bay 8-16 (0-1 HL)
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
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Jena Rhoads had herself a day at the plate, going 2-for-3 with four RBI, one run scored, one double and one home run. Rhoads' homer was also the first of her collegiate career.
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Trinity Robertson posted a monster day at the dish as well going 2-for-3 with five RBI, one run scored and two doubles.
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Alicia Flores (W, 4-6) picked up the victory in the circle, tossing 2.0 innings, recording two strikeouts, allowing zero runs and allowing just one hit.
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Madisyn Eads finished off the game for NKU in the circle, throwing 3.0 innings with three strikeouts and allowed just one run.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Norse jumped all over the Phoenix in the bottom of the first inning with a three-run Robertson double to right center field.
- NKU posted a huge second inning as
Sydni Barnes, Robertson and Rhoads all notched RBI doubles to push the home lead out to 7-0.
- Despite allowing one Green Bay run in the top of the fourth, NKU countered with a three-run blast over the right field wall from Rhoads to eventually complete the run-rule of 10-1 after five innings.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Northern Kentucky – 9, Green Bay – 6
LOCATION: Frank Ignatius Grein Field – Highland Heights, KY
RECORDS: NKU 7-15 (2-0 HL), Green Bay 8-17 (0-2 HL)
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
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Trinity Robertson stayed hot heading into game number two, going 1-for-3, with 3 RBI, one home run and one run scored.
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Ella LeMonier anchored the Norse at the plate going 3-for-4, with 3 runs scored, 2 RBI and one stolen base.
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Maddie Lacer also chipped in a solid hitting performance today going 2-for-3 with 2 RBI and one run scored.
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Madisyn Eads (W, 2-4) earned the win inside the circle in game two, going the distance with 7.0 innings pitched, totaling four strikeouts and allowed five earned runs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- NKU jumped out ahead of the Phoenix once again early in this conference game, as Robertson crushed a three-run home run over the left field fence
- Green Bay struck back with a RBI double of their own in th top of the second to close the gap at 3-1 overall.
- The Norse countered with a three-run second inning as LeMonier and Lacer provided RBI singles
- Northern Kentucky tacked on three more runs in the bottom of the third with a RBI double from
Kaylee McGinn, and a pair of RBI single from both LeMonier and
Sydni Barnes.
- The Norse hold down a 9-1 lead heading to the top of the fourth inning, where the Phoenix manged to score five additional runs but NKU shut down GB for the 9-6 victory.
NEXT UP
Northern Kentucky Softball remains at home for the series finale against the Phoenix of Green Bay, tomorrow March 17 from Highland Heights, Ky. Game three between these Horizon League programs will look to get underway beginning at 1 PM ET from Frank Ignatius Grein Field.
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