Krystal Lewallen improved to 22-0

ASHLAND, Ohio - The Northern Kentucky University softball team took the field on Wednesday with a chance to make history on the road against Ashland.

And the Norse - who watched the weather wash out their final homestand of the season last weekend and deny them the opportunity to set an NCAA record in front of the home fans - did just that by sweeping a doubleheader against the Eagles.

NKU set the NCAA Division II record for longest winning streak by posting a 2-1 victory over Ashland in the first game of a doubleheader. The Norse improved to 41-0 with the opening-game victory and became the only softball team in Division II history to win 41 straight.

Kennesaw State had won 40 consecutive games in 1995. NKU tied that record last week with a win against Indianapolis at home.

NKU later extended the winning streak to 42 with a 10-1 victory in the nightcap. NKU is 42-0 and ranked No. 1 nationally in the Division II poll.

Norse junior pitcher Krystal Lewallen took a perfect game into the seventh inning of the opener before allowing a one-out solo home run to Jennifer Alderson. Lewallen finished with 12 strikeouts and improved to 22-0 this season.

Sarah King provided the key hit with a two-run single in the first game. With runners on second and third and two outs in the fifth inning, Ashland pitcher Jaime Williams then intentionally walked Angie Lindeman to load the bases, bringing King to the plate.

King fell behind 0-2, but the freshman lined the next pitch to center field for a single that drove in both Michelle Logan and Stephanie Leimbach for a 2-0 NKU lead.

In the second game, NKU used a 17-hit attack to coast past the Eagles (27-17). Ricki Rothbauer and Sara Becker each had three hits to lead the Norse. Leimbach extended her hitting streak to 22 straight games with a single in the nightcap and scored two runs.

Leimbach’s 22-game hitting streak is tied for 18th all-time in Division II history.

NKU will conclude the regular season this weekend on the road with doubleheaders at Quincy (April 30) and Missouri-St. Louis (May 1). The Norse will begin Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament play on May 6 at East Peoria, Ill.