HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky softball program got Senior Weekend started off with a bang, literally, as the Norse knocked off Detroit Mercy, 10-2 in a run-rule victory in a Horizon League clash on Friday afternoon.
THE BASICS
FINAL: Northern Kentucky – 10, Detroit Mercy – 2 (6 innings)
LOCATION: Frank Ignatius Grein Softball Field – Highland Heights, Kentucky
RECORDS: NKU 20-17 (12-7 HL), UDM 3-35 (2-15 HL)
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
-
Jena Rhoads led the charge in this one as she posted a near perfect 4-for-5 outing that featured three RBI and two runs scored.
-
Sydni Barnes also had a huge game with a 3-for-4 performance with two RBI and two runs. She also added her first home run of the season (and second homer of her career).
-
Olivia Pastin continued her standout year with another 2-for-2 game at the dish with two RBI.
-
Ella LeMonier also had a near perfect day at the plate. She went 3-for-4 with a game-best three runs scored.
-
Maddie Lacer (3-for-4, one RBI, one run),
Megan Lenhart (1-for-2, one RBI, one run scored) and
Mack Brow (1-for-3, one RBI, one base on balls) all chipped in huge performances.
- The 10 runs scored and the 18 hits were the most recorded by the Norse so far this year. It was also the most hits posted by the Norse since the squad racked up 18 against Youngstown State all the way back on April 23, 2019. The 18 hits were tied for the third-most by a Horizon League team so far this season.
-
Lauryn Hicks picked up the victory, her ninth of the year, with four strong innings of work. She notched eight strikeouts to go with just one hit and one run allowed (which was unearned).
-
Brooklyn Ballis closed things out over the final two frames. She posted three punch outs to close out the win.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Detroit actually jumped out to an early lead in this one as the Titans pushed a run across in the top of the first to take the 1-0 advantage.
- The Norse answered right back with a run of their own in the bottom half of the frame to tie things up at 1-1.
- Northern Kentucky started to pull away with two runs in the bottom of the third to make it a 3-1 game. Both Rhoads and Pastin posted RBI knocks in the frame.
- NKU really broke things open with a six-run bottom of the fourth. Barnes started things off with a solo shot that was followed by RBI hits by Rhoads, Lacer, Lenhart, Brow and Barnes.
- The Titans tried to chip away win a single run in the top of the fifth to avoid the run-rule victory.
- It would only take the Norse another frame to seal the run-rule win as Rhoads walked things off with a RBI triple that plated Barnes to give NKU the huge opening-series victory.
NEXT UP
The Norse will celebrate Senior Day with a doubleheader against Detroit Mercy on Saturday, April 27. Fans and supporters will want to be in their seats by 12:35 PM ET to partake in the pre-game festivities. First pitch for the conference battle is set for 1 PM. Admission to both games is free of charge and the day will also feature an exclusive bucket hat giveaway. For those unable to attend, the twin bill will also be played in front of a national audience on ESPN+.
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.
