-
3
Robert Morris RMU 31-17
4
Winner Northern Ky. NKU 25-23
Robert Morris RMU
31-17
3
Final
4
Northern Ky. NKU
25-23
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Robert Morris RMU 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 3 8 1
Northern Ky. NKU 2 0 0 0 1 1 X 4 10 0

W: Flores, Alicia (11-6) L: Kaitlyn Molitoris (10-8)

Game Recap: Softball |

Norse Crowned Horizon League Champions with 4-3 Victory over RMU

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Northern Kentucky University Norse softball earned its second Horizon League Championship in four years on Saturday, as the Norse took down #3 Robert Morris in thrilling fashion. The Norse took an early lead and never trailed in the contest, though late dramatics nearly saw the game slip away. A fantastic pitching display from Alicia Flores and Makaree Chapman, as well as key plays from several Northern Kentucky batters, saw the Norse secure its first Horizon League Championship since 2023. 

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: #2 Northern Kentucky – 4, #3 Robert Morris – 3
LOCATION: Covelli Sports Complex – Youngstown, Ohio
RECORDS: NKU: 25-23 | RMU: 31-17

GAME SUMMARY
– Northern Kentucky started hot with four hits in the first, including an RBI double from Brielle DiMemmo and a one-run single from Peyton Mueller-Stenz. The Colonials got one back in the second, before tying the game in the fourth. NKU struck again in the bottom of the fifth, where Jena Rhoads came through once again with a two-out, one-run double to put the Norse up 3-2. Northern Kentucky added an insurance run in the sixth, thanks to a two-out, ground-rule double off the bat of Makaree Chapman. That run was desperately needed, as the Colonials made it a 4-3 ballgame on an RBI fielder's choice in the seventh. With runners on first and second and two down, Flores coaxed a shallow pop-up that was caught by Lexy Morris to see the Norse secure the title. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
– Makaree Chapman started in the circle for the Norse and threw four innings of two-run ball, allowing five hits and two walks against the high-powered Colonial offense. The freshman was relieved in the fifth for Alicia Flores, who sealed her 11th victory of the season by allowing three hits, a run, and no walks in three innings of work. 
– The Northern Kentucky offense recorded ten hits in 26 at-bats, including three doubles. 
– Jena Rhoads led NKU with three hits, batting 3-3 with a double, an RBI, and a run scored. 
– Peyton Mueller-Stenz batted 202 with a double, an RBI, a run scored, and a stolen base. 
– Mack Brow batted 2-4 with a pair of runs scored. 

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Jena Rhoads was crowned the Horizon League Tournament Championship MVP, and was named to the All-Tournament team alongside teammates Makaree Chapman, Brielle DiMemmo, Alicia Flores, and Lexy Morris. 

NEXT UP
Northern Kentucky is on to the NCAA Tournament, and will find its regional host site on Sunday, with the NCAA Softball Championship Selection Show live at 7 PM on ESPN2. 

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. 
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