CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Northern Kentucky University Norse softball took on Monmouth and North Carolina to open play in the Carolina Classic on Friday. After a 3-1 opening weekend, the Norse dropped their first two games despite nearly rallying late in game one. 

THE BASICS - GAME ONE
FINAL SCORE: Northern Kentucky – 5, Monmouth – 7
LOCATION: Anderson Stadium - Chapel Hill, N.C.
RECORDS: NKU: 3-2 | MON: 2-5
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- NKU took an early lead before giving up five runs in the second, as the Hawks never trailed over the final five innings. 
- Abigail Byrd pitched the full game for the Norse, throwing six innings while allowing six earned runs, five hits, three walks, and striking out three batters. 
- Mack Brow led the Norse with a 2-3 day at the plate with a pair of stolen bases, two runs, and a walk. 
- Jena Rhoads went 2-2 with two RBIs and a run. 
- Emma Ginn batted 2-4 with an RBI.
- Kenzie Gulley went 1-2 with a run and a pair of walks. 

THE BASICS - GAME TWO
FINAL SCORE: Northern Kentucky – 0, North Carolina – 11
LOCATION: Anderson Stadium - Chapel Hill, N.C.
RECORDS: NKU: 3-3 | UNC: 6-0
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- The Norse held on for the first two innings, allowing just one Tar Heel run while Lexy Morris ended the second frame with a great double play. Unfortunately for the Norse, the Tar Heel offense heated up in the third and fourth, scoring ten runs over the final two frames for a run-rule victory. 
- Kenzie Gulley (1-1, walk) and Brooke Keltner (1-2) collected the only hits for the Norse. 

NEXT UP
NKU continues play in the Carolina Classic on Saturday, taking on Bryant at 10 AM and Monmouth at 5:30 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.