Krystal Lewallen

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The Northern Kentucky University softball team extended its season-opening win streak to 22 consecutive games Sunday by sweeping a doubleheader from Kentucky Wesleyan, taking the opener by an 11-0 score and following that with a 10-1 victory.

In the opener, Krystal Lewallen hurled a perfect game and finished with 11 strikeouts at the Frank Ignatius Grein Softball Field. Lewallen retired all 15 batters she faced and improved to 11-0 this season.

Lewallen, who threw a no-hitter against South Dakota State in her previous start, has not allowed an earned run during her last 61 innings on the mound.

Becky Napier was 3-for-3 with three runs batted in for the Norse, who are 22-0 overall, 2-0 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Kara Lorenz belted a home run for NKU, which used a 13-hit attack to defeat Kentucky Wesleyan in the five-inning contest.

In the second game, Stephanie Leimbach had three hits and scored three runs as NKU rolled to the win. Ricki Rothbauer added three hits and two runs for the Norse.

Napier, Heather Cotner and Sarah King each drove in two runs for NKU, which is ranked No. 1 nationally in the NCAA Division II poll. Angie Lindeman added two hits and scored three runs for the Norse.

Sarah Newland improved to 4-0 after allowing four hits and one run.

NKU will play host to Bellarmine at 2 p.m. Monday in a non-GLVC doubleheader that was originally scheduled to be played on Tuesday. The forecast, however, calls for rain on Tuesday and the games were moved to Monday.

During the past two seasons, NKU is now 76-7. The 22 consecutive wins is the most in school history.

The longest single-season win streak in NCAA Division II history is 40, set in 1995 by Kennesaw State.