OWENSBORO, Ky. - Northern Kentucky University pitcher Krystal Lewallen set a Norse single-season record Friday by picking up her 21st victory during a 2-1 win over Kentucky Wesleyan College.
Lewallen, a sophomore from Crestwood, Ky., improved to 21-1 and became the first pitcher in Norse history to reach 21 wins during a season. Going into this spring, Emily Breitholle’s 20 victories in 2002 represented the most wins in a season for NKU.
In the victory on Friday, Lewallen allowed just three hits and recorded 11 strikeouts. She also retired the final 10 Kentucky Wesleyan batters in order.
Lewallen, a graduate of South Oldham High School who leads the nation in earned run average with a 0.15 ERA, is now 37-10 in two years at NKU.
In the nightcap, Angie Lindeman was 3-for-3 with three runs batted in as NKU posted an 11-1 victory. Sara Becker collected four RBI for NKU, while teammate Stephanie Leimbach was 2-for-3 with three runs scored.
Ricki Rothbauer was 2-for-4 and scored three runs for NKU, which used a six-run outburst in the second inning to seal the win.
Sarah Newland allowed just two hits in five inning and picked up the win for the Norse, who tied a school record with their 36th victory. NKU is now 36-2 overall, 8-0 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.
NKU is ranked No. 8 nationally in the latest NCAA Division II poll. The Norse are also No. 1 in the Great Lakes Region poll.
NKU will conclude the weekend road trip Saturday with a 1 p.m. doubleheader at the University of Southern Indiana.
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Krystal Lewallen |