Becky Napier scored the first run Saturday

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Krystal Lewallen hurled a three-hit shutout and struck out nine batters Saturday as Northern Kentucky University captured the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Region championship with a 2-0 win over Northwood (Mich.).

Lewallen, who improved to 30-0 this season, was named the most valuable player of the Great Lakes Regional after throwing her second straight shutout. In 20 innings during the Great Lakes Regional, Lewallen allowed just one earned run and had 29 strikeouts in the three victories as top-ranked NKU (53-0) earned a repeat trip to the NCAA Division II World Series May 19-23 at Salem, Va.

Both NKU runs were unearned on Saturday as Northwood (34-14) committed four errors. Becky Napier and Angie Lindeman each scored runs for NKU, which finished with seven hits.

The Norse opened the scoring in the fourth inning after Becky Napier and Sara Becker each collected two-out hits to put runners on first and second. Megan Owens followed with a fly ball to short right field that was dropped by Jodie Jones, allowing Napier to score the first run of the game.

The Norse added an insurance run in the fifth inning with a two-out rally that began when Angie Lindeman struck out but reached first base when Lisa Shepard’s pitch skipped past catcher Ellie Neidhamer.

After a single by Sarah King put runners on first and second, Heather Cotner’s slow roller was bobbled by Shepard. Shepard’s throw to first base was wild and allowed Lindeman to score from second base as NKU took a 2-0 lead.

Megan Owens hits the fly ball to right field

Northwood nearly scored in the sixth inning when Julie Olsen singled sharply to right field with pinch-runner Kristen Estes at second base. King, however, fired a strike to Owens at the plate to gun down Estes and end the inning.

Reeta Echevarria beat out an infield hit with two outs in the seventh inning for Northwood, but Lewallen induced Amanda Hayman to pop out to second baseman Ricki Rothbauer for the game’s final out.

Lindeman, Owens, Cotner, Stephanie Leimbach and Rachele Vogelpohl each were named to the Great Lakes Region All-Tournament Team along with Lewallen. It marked the second straight year that Lewallen was named the most valuable player.

Leimbach’s 32-game hitting streak ended on Saturday, as the senior center fielder was 0-for-2 and hit by a pitch. Her 32-game hitting streak is the fifth longest in NCAA Division II history.

NKU will begin play at the NCAA Division II World Series at 5 p.m. Thursday against the Northeast Region champion, either Le Moyne (N.Y.) or C.W. Post. Those two teams will play Sunday for the Northeast Region championship.

A year ago, NKU advanced to the NCAA Division II World Series and dropped a pair of 1-0 decisions to both St. Cloud State and Caldwell (N.J.). NKU’s last loss was on May 14, 2004.

NKU’s 53-game winning streak is the longest in collegiate softball history.

NCAA II GREAT LAKES REGION ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

Pitcher - Lisa Shepard, Northwood

Pitcher - Krystal Lewallen, NKU

Catcher - Megan Owens, NKU

Infielder - Emily Lenart, SIUE

Infielder - Reeta Echevarria, Northwood

Infielder - Katie Kraai, Ferris State

Infielder - Angie Lindeman, NKU

Outfielder - Julie Olson, Northwood

Outfielder - Meghan Keith, West Virginia Wesleyan

Outfielder - Rachele Vogelpohl, NKU

Designated Player - Heather Cotner, NKU

At-Large - Joanna Fergus, Gannon

At-Large - Stephanie Leimbach, NKU

Most Valuable Player - Krystal Lewallen, NKU