HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky.  – Northern Kentucky University Norse Softball kicked off their first of six straight home games on Tuesday afternoon, taking on the Valparaiso Beacons. 

A pitcher's duel emerged after the first five innings, with both teams scoring just one run apiece. Alicia Flores had one of her best starts of the season, allowing three hits, two walks, one run, and struck out six batters, which tied a season-high.

The Beacons broke through in the sixth, scoring three runs on four hits off NKU pitcher Brooklyn Ballis. Valpo held on for the three-run victory. 

THE BASICS 
FINAL SCORE: Northern Kentucky – 1, Valparaiso – 4
LOCATION: Frank Ignatius Grein Field - Highland Heights, Ky.
RECORDS: NKU 7-13 (0-0 HL), Valpo 11-9 (0-0 MVC)

Before the game, head coach Morgan Gerak was honored for earning her first win as Head Softball Coach. 

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Alicia Flores pitched 4.1 innings, striking out six, allowing three hits, two walks, and one run. 
- Trinity Robertson went 2-3 at the plate with a double.
- Olivia Pastin hit her third home run of the season in the fourth inning. Pastin finished 1-3 at the plate. 
- Stella Wulker went 1-3 with a double. 

NORSE NOTES
- After a scoreless first, Valpo got on the board in the top of the second. With runners on second and third, an RBI single to center brought home the leading runner, but Jena Rhoads cut off the second runner at home, preventing a two-run inning. 
- Things stayed scoreless until the fourth, when Olivia Pastin launched a home run over the right-field scoreboard to tie things up. 
- A long fifth inning saw the Beacons take back the lead in a four-hit, three-run inning.
- NKU had a shot to level the game in the seventh, as Robertson led off with a single, but a ground ball on the next play kept a runner at first with one out. Megan Kennedy pinch-hit for Brielle DiMemmo, and she lined one out to left, but it was safely caught. An infield grounder from Emma Ginn ended things for the Norse.

NEXT UP
Northern Kentucky University Norse Softball is back at home tomorrow, taking on Morehead State at 3 PM.

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