INDIANAPOLIS – The Northern Kentucky softball program continued its stellar start to conference play as the Norse swept IUPUI in a Horizon League doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon.
With the two victories, NKU improved to second place in the Horizon at 9-3 in conference match ups.
THE BASICS – GAME ONE
FINAL: Northern Kentucky – 7, IUPUI – 3 (7 innings)
LOCATION: Grand Park Sports Campus – Westfield, Indiana
RECORDS: NKU 15-12 (8-3 HL), IUPUI 9-27 (5-6 HL)
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
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Jena Rhoads had a huge opening game at the dish with a 3-for-4 effort that included three RBI and a run scored.
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Sydni Barnes added a 1-for-3 outing with two RBI and a walk.
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Megan Lenhart (1-for-1, one RBI, one run scored) and
Olivia Pastin (1-for-2, one RBI, two bases on balls) also knocked in runs for the Norse.
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Tatum Biddle also had a big game with a 2-for-4 performance to go with two runs scored.
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Megan Lenhart (1-for-1),
Ella LeMonier (1-for-4),
Charly Koehler and
Emma Ginn also came around to score, respectively.
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Brooklyn Ballis picked up the win in the circle, her fourth of the year as she threw 5.1 innings to go with five strikeouts and nine hits allowed. She also was only charged for three earned runs.
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Lauryn Hicks closed the contest out with 1.2 scoreless innings in relief. She was perfect in the appearance with no hits or walks allowed to go with two strikeouts.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Norse resumed the contest with a 2-0 lead in the top of the second with no outs after rain postponed the original game on Tuesday.
- NKU added two more runs in the frame off a RBI double by Barnes to break things open at 4-0.
- IUPUI answered back with a run in the bottom of the second and two more in the third to close things at 4-3.
- That is when the Norse turned it on as NKU plated a run in both the top of the fourth and fifth and another in the seventh to seal the 7-3 victory.
THE BASICS – GAME TWO
FINAL: Northern Kentucky – 6, IUPUI – 4 (9 innings)
LOCATION: Grand Park Sports – Westfield, Indiana
RECORDS: NKU 16-12 (9-3 HL), IUPUI 9-28 (5-7 HL)
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
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Maddie Lacer went 2-for-5 in the second game of the twin bill with two RBI.
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Jena Rhoads continued her strong afternoon with two RBI and a run scored in the contest.
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Ella LeMonier set the tone at the top of the order with a 2-for-4 outing to go with two runs and a walk.
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Tatum Biddle also continued her hot day with a 2-for-3 effort that included two runs and two bases on balls.
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Sydni Barnes chipped in a 2-for-4 performance with a run.
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Lauryn Hicks picked up the win with 2.2 scoreless innings of relief.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Northern Kentucky build an early lead with a run in the top of the first, second and fourth to jump ahead 3-0.
- IUPUI tried to respond back with a run of its own in the bottom of the sixth to make it a 3-1 game.
- The Norse got what they thought was another insurance run in the top of the seventh as they pulled ahead 4-1.
- The Jaguars went on a wild comeback attempt with three runs in the bottom of the seventh to send the game to extras.
- Both Northern Kentucky and IUPUI played a scoreless eighth to send the battle to the ninth.
- The Norse pushed through for two runs in the top of the inning to retake the lead at 6-4.
- NKU then slammed the door in the bottom half of the frame to head back home with another win.
NEXT UP
The Norse return home to Highland Heights for another Horizon League series, this time against Robert Morris, that gets underway on Saturday, April 13. The opening day will feature a doubleheader, with first pitch set for 1 PM ET. Admission to the contest is free of charge.
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