YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Northern Kentucky University Norse softball looked to bounce back from a 14-run loss to Youngstown State on Saturday with a doubleheader to close the series. While the Norse kept it closer in both contests, NKU lost the pair of games by a combined six runs. 

THE BASICS – GAME ONE
FINAL SCORE: Northern Kentucky – 5, Youngstown State – 9
LOCATION: YSU Softball Field - Youngstown, Ohio
RECORDS: NKU: 13-16 (2-3 HL) | YSU: 16-12 (4-1 HL)

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- NKU scored five runs on eight hits and four walks while allowing the Penguins to score nine runs on eleven hits and two walks. YSU totaled five extra-base hits in the contest. 
- Makaree Chapman pitched all six innings for Northern Kentucky and moved to 4-9 on the season with the loss. The freshman allowed eight earned runs and struck out three batters. 
- Northern Kentucky tallied just one extra-base hit, a two-RBI double off the bat of Jena Rhoads, who finished the game 1-4. 
- Lexy Morris was the only Norse to record multiple hits, finishing 2-2 with a run and an RBI. 
- Chapman (1-2, RBI, BB) and Peyton Mueller-Stenz (1-3, R, BB) each reached base on multiple occasions. 

THE BASICS – GAME TWO
FINAL SCORE: Northern Kentucky – 5, Youngstown State – 7
LOCATION: YSU Softball Field - Youngstown, Ohio
RECORDS: NKU: 13-17 (2-3 HL) | YSU: 17-12 (4-1 HL)

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
-  NKU allowed the Penguins to score seven runs on eight hits and eight walks. The Northern Kentucky defense also committed four errors in the contest. The Norse recorded nine hits, one more than the Penguins, with three of those being doubles.
- The Norse used all four pitchers in game two, as Alicia Flores got the start and threw two innings while allowing one run. Kyndall Ford relieved her in the third and picked up the loss, her first of the season. Abigail Byrd didn't allow a hit in her 1.2 innings, but walked five batters, and Chapman closed things out with two innings while allowing one unearned run. 
- Three NKU hitters recorded multiple hits, as Jena Rhoads finished 2-4 with a double and two RBI, Brielle DiMemmo finished 2-4 with two runs scored, and Peyton Mueller-Stenz batted 2-4 with an RBI and a double. Kenzie Gulley finished 1-3 with a double, walk, and two runs scored.

NEXT UP
Northern Kentucky hits the road on Friday for a Horizon League series with Green Bay. 

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.