GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Northern Kentucky softball team's historic season will continue to roll on as the Norse captured the 2023 Horizon League Championship with a thrilling, 2-1 final game victory over defending champ Oakland in Green Bay on Saturday afternoon.
The Horizon title was the first for the Norse in program history. To go with the conference championship, NKU will also make its first appearance in the NCAA Division I Tournament in school history.
JOIN THE CELEBRATION: Northern Kentucky to host NCAA Selection Show Watch Party at Dead Low Brewing on Sunday Night
The championship was the cherry on top to what has already been an unforgettable year for NKU that has included: the first-ever NCAA DI national tournament appearance in NKU history, the first conference championship since joining NCAA DI, the best Horizon League regular-season finish in program history, the first Horizon championship round appearance, the first two no-hitters thrown in the DI era and the program's first Power Five victory in program history with a win over Michigan State back on Feb. 12.
The storybook season will continue on for the Norse as NKU will learn its destination for the national tournament on Sunday, May 14 when the NCAA announces its Selection Show at 7 PM ET on ESPN2.
THE CHAMPIONSHIP OUT
WE KEPT ASKING WHY NOT US…
COACH GLEASON ON THE RECORD-SETTING WIN
HOW IT HAPPENED
ONE WE WON'T FORGET ANYTIME SOON
THE BASICS – GAME TWO
FINAL SCORE: Northern Kentucky – 2, Oakland – 1 (7 innings)
LOCATION: King Park – Green Bay, Wisconsin
RECORDS: NKU 23-30 (13-9 HL), OAK 21-21 (14-7 HL)
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- The Norse split the work in the circle between
Lauryn Hicks,
Madisyn Eads and
Alicia Flores. Hicks started the game and went four innings as she allowed just two hits and one run (earned) to go with seven strikeouts. Eads was in next and added 1.1 scoreless innings of work along with a punchout. Flores closed out the final 1.2 innings of the game and earned the save, with just one hit and no runs allowed. She also recorded a strikeout.
- On the offensive side,
Jena Rhoads (1-for-4) and
Trinity Robertson (1-for-3) drove in NKU's runs on the game, with a RBI apiece, respectively.
-
Ella LeMonier (1-for-4) and
Megan Lenhart scored for the Norse.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- It was Oakland's turn to strike first in this one as the Golden Grizzlies pushed a run across in the bottom of the second to make it 1-0.
- NKU answered back in the top of the fourth as Robertson hit a clutch two-out RBI single that scored Lenhart to tie the game at 1-1.
- Oakland loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom half of the frame, but Hicks went strikeout, strikeout, strikeout to the next three Golden Grizzlies to keep the game knotted at 1-1.
- Northern Kentucky took its first lead of the game in the top of the fifth as LeMonier lead off the inning with a triple and was followed right up by a Rhoads RBI double to give NKU a 2-1 advantage.
- The Golden Grizzlies once again loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth, but the Norse were once again up to the task. NKU escaped the frame without allowing a runner to cross the plate as the game remained at 2-1.
- Northern Kentucky was able to keep Oakland over the board over the final two innings as the Norse collected the historic victory.
THE BASICS – GAME ONE
FINAL SCORE: Northern Kentucky – 2, Oakland – 4 (7 innings)
LOCATION: King Park – Green Bay, Wisconsin
RECORDS: NKU 22-30 (13-9 HL), OAK 21-20 (14-7 HL)
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
-
Alicia Flores took a tough-luck loss in the circle as she went six strong innings. She allowed just six hits and two runs (both earned) to go along with six strikeouts.
-
Brielle DiMemmo (1-for-3) and
Sydni Barnes (1-for-3) both drove in a run in the contest, respectively.
-
Ella LeMonier (3-for-4) and
Maddie Lacer (1-for-3) came around to score for the Norse.
-
Megan Lenhart (1-for-3) also added a hit for NKU.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- NKU got on the board first as Barnes drove a double down the left field line that scored Lacer to make it a 1-0 game in the bottom of the second.
- Oakland responded back with two runs of its own in the top of the fifth to jump ahead with a 2-1 advantage.
- The Golden Grizzles added two more insurance runs in the top of the seventh to push their edge to 4-1.
- Northern Kentucky kept the fight with a DiMemmo RBI single that plated Lemonier to make it 4-2 in the bottom half of the inning, but it was all the Norse could muster as Oakland escaped with the 4-2 win.
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