HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky softball program found itself on the wrong side of a 9-1 decision to conference foe Youngstown State in the final Horizon League series opener of the regular season for the Norse on Friday afternoon in Highland Heights.
 
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Northern Kentucky – 1, Youngstown State – 9 (5 innings)
LOCATION: Frank Ignatius Grein Field – Highland Heights, Kentucky
RECORDS: NKU 18-28 (12-8 HL), YSU 23-24 (11-9 HL)
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Sydni Barnes paced the Norse attack with a perfect 2-for-2 outing that included NKU's lone run of the game.
- Maddie Lacer drove in the Norse's RBI in the contest.
- Jena Rhoads added a 2-for-3 day at the dish.
- Megan Lenhart (1-for-3) and Tatum Biddle (1-for-2) also chipped in hits for NKU.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Youngstown State struck right way with a run in the top of the first to jump out to an early 1-0 lead.
- The Penguins added another two runs in the top of the second to extend their advantage to 3-0.
- Northern Kentucky battled back as Lacer drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the third that plated Barnes as NKU made it a 3-1 game.
- It was all YSU from that point on as the Penguins added five runs in the top of the fourth and an additional run in the top of the five to close out the 9-1, run-rule victory.
 
NEXT UP 
The Norse and Penguins will conclude their season series with a doubleheader on Saturday, May 6 that will get underway at 1 PM ET from Frank Ignatius Grein Field.
 
The day will feature a celebration of Senior Day for Northern Kentucky as the Norse will honor their three graduating student-athletes with a special pre-game ceremony to take place before the day's first game. Admission is free to both contests.
 
 
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.