GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Northern Kentucky softball program is back to its winning and record-setting ways as the Norse won their second consecutive contest to open the 2023 Horizon League Softball Championship with a thrilling 2-1, extra-inning victory over Robert Morris on Thursday afternoon.

Did you think it was going to end any other way?!? ??@laurynhicks2 with her 1?8?th ?????????????????? of the game, a NKU NCAA Division I era record, to close out another ???????????????????????? ?????? for the ????????????@NKUNorse | #NorseUp pic.twitter.com/J1AWziy3r2

— NKU Softball ?? (@NKUNorseSB) May 11, 2023

With the win, Northern Kentucky is now set for a battle with top-seeded Oakland on Friday, May 12. First pitch is set for 3:30 PM ET and the game will be played in front of a national audience on ESPN+.
 
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Northern Kentucky – 2, Robert Morris – 1 (8 innings)
LOCATION: King Park – Green Bay, Wisconsin
RECORDS: NKU 21-29 (13-9 HL), RMU 24-22 (14-8 HL)
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Lauryn Hicks posted another one for the Northern Kentucky record books. The standout senior twirled yet another complete game as she went all eight innings that included just one hit, one run (earned) and an NKU NCAA Division I era record 18 strikeouts. The strikeout performance tied for sixth in all of NCAA DI softball for most punchouts in a single game so far this season. Hicks improved to 9-8 on the year and is now ranked third in the Horizon in opponent batting average (.233) and fifth in ERA (2.65), strikeouts (122) and saves (2). It was also Hick's third shutout on the season (tied for fourth in the Horizon) and eighth complete game (tied for 10th).
- Maddie Lacer and Kayla Shymkewich had 2-for-4 days at the plate. Lacer also scored a run for NKU.
- Ella LeMonier added a 1-for-3 outing that included a run scored for the Norse.
- Jena Rhoads and Megan Lenhart both drove in a RBI off sacrifice flies, respectively, to make up the scoring for NKU.
- Sydni Barnes (1-for-3) and Trinity Robertson (1-for-4) also added base knocks for the Norse.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Neither NKU nor RMU could muster up any offense over the first two innings.
- Rhoads got the Norse on the board first with a deep sacrifice fly to center field that scored Lemonier as NKU jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the third.
- RMU responded right back in the bottom half of the inning. The Colonials took advantage of a NKU wild pitch that led to a run and a tie game at 1-1.
- The two sides would play four straight scoreless innings before Northern Kentucky broke the tie in the top of the eighth. Once again, NKU used timely hitting as they took the 2-1 lead off a sacrifice fly by Lenhart that brought Lacer around to score.
- Hicks retired the side in perfect order, and ended the game with a punchout, as NKU took the thrilling, 2-1 win.
 
TOP PLAY NOMINEE

???????? ??????????????????!!! ?? #NCAASoftball x ?? ESPN+ / @NKUNorseSB pic.twitter.com/i1lexa1OmU

— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) May 11, 2023

NEXT UP 
Northern Kentucky, a perfect 2-0 in tournament play, will meet top-seeded Oakland on Friday, May 12. The Norse and Grizzlies will get underway at 3:30 PM ET. The game will be featured in front of a national audience on ESPN+, or fans and supporters can follow along with the live stats here.
 

FOLLOW NKU NORSE SOFTBALL 
Get in the game and follow Northern Kentucky's NCAA Division I softball team through @NKUNorseSB on Twitter, @nkunorsesb on Instagram, nkunorsesball on Facebook and subscribe to the NKU Norse Youtube channel.