HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky softball program split its doubleheader against Horizon League foe Cleveland State, which included a game two 10-1 blowout win, as the Norse and Vikings battled in a twin bill at Frank Ignatius Grein Field on Sunday afternoon.
 
With the victory, NKU moves to 4-3 in league play.
 
 
GAME ONE - THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Northern Kentucky – 2, Cleveland State – 4 (7 innings)
LOCATION: Frank Ignatius Grein Field – Highland Heights, Kentucky
RECORDS: NKU 8-21 (3-3 HL), CSU 6-22 (2-2 HL)
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE 
- Madisyn Eads took a tough luck loss in the circle as she went all seven innings and allowed just six hits, four runs (just two earned) to go with a punchout. It was her fourth complete game of the season, a mark tied for 11^th in the Horizon.
- Tatum Biddle (1-for-2) and Sydni Barnes (1-for-2) led NKU on offense with a RBI apiece, respectively.
- Ella LeMonier (1-for-2) and Jena Rhoads (2-for-4, run scored) were also big contributors in the contest.
- LeMonier (two) and Rhoads (one) each swiped a bag in the opener. LeMonier now has 13 stolen bases on the year, a total that ranks second in the conference.
- Biddle also added a run scored for the Norse.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED 
- NKU broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fifth inning off back-to-back RBI doubles by Biddle and Barnes to give the Norse a 2-0 lead.
- Cleveland State cut the lead in half in the top of the six to make it 2-1.
- The Vikings turned it on in the top of the seventh as CSU was able to push three runs across to take a 4-2 edge.
- Cleveland State slammed the door in the bottom half of the inning to escape with the 4-2 win.
 
 
GAME TWO - THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Northern Kentucky – 10, Cleveland State – 1 (5 innings)
LOCATION: Frank Ignatius Grein Field – Highland Heights, Kentucky
RECORDS: NKU 9-21 (4-3 HL), CSU 6-23 (2-3 HL)
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE 
- Lauryn Hicks got the win in the circle with a big complete game shutout that included six hits, just one run allowed (earned) and a season-best six strikeouts.
- Brielle DiMemmo hit her first collegiate home run, which happened to be a grand slam, as she finished the game 1-for-2 with a game and career best four RBI.
- Sydni Barnes was another big bat for NKU with a 2-for-3 game that included two RBI and two runs scored.
- Kayla Shymkewich (1-for-2, two runs scored), Jena Rhoads (1-for-2, run scored, walk, stolen base), Ella LeMonier (1-for-4, run scored), Maddie Lacer (1-for-1, RBI), Charly Koehler (1-for-2, run scored) and Trinity Robertson (RBI) also had big games for the Norse.
- Tatum Biddle drew two walks and came around to score twice in the contest.
- On the game, seven different Norse picked up hits, seven different student-athletes scored, and five student-athletes had at least a RBI in the victory.
- The 10 runs scored by the Norse was tied for the second-highest total put up in a game so far this season.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED 
- Cleveland State scored a run quick in the top of the first to take a 1-0 lead.
- It was all Northern Kentucky from that point on as the Norse answered right back with a run in the bottom of the first and then went on to drop another six runs in the third and three more in the fourth to seal the 10-1, five-inning victory.
 
 
NEXT UP 
The Norse will be right back at it as they host in-state foe Eastern Kentucky on Tuesday, April 4 at Frank Ignatius Grein Field. First pitch is set for 4 PM ET. Admission to the contest is free and fans and supporters will be able to follow along with the non-conference clash in real-time here.
 
 
FOLLOW NKU NORSE SOFTBALL 
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