Rachele Vogelpohl singles against SIUE

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Krystal Lewallen tossed a three-hit shutout and struck out 11 batters Friday as top-ranked Northern Kentucky University posted a 2-0 win over Southern Illinois at Edwardsville in the second round of the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional Tournament.

Lewallen, a junior from Crestwood, Ky., allowed just one hit after the second inning and upped her record to 29-0 this season. She also walked two batters as the Norse defeated the second-seeded Cougars (41-14).

Heather Cotner gave NKU (52-0) a 1-0 lead in the first inning with a single up the middle that drove in Angie Lindeman. The Norse loaded the bases later in the inning, but SIUE starter Alicia DeShasier retired Sara Becker on a grounder to second to end the threat.

NKU added an insurance run in the fourth inning when DeShasier fielded a grounder and threw wildly to first, allowing Rachele Vogelpohl to score and give the Norse a 2-0 lead.

Vogelpohl went 2-for-3 and had five hits during the first two rounds of the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional. NKU’s Stephanie Leimbach went 1-for-3 and extended her hitting streak to 32 games. The 32-game hitting streak is the fifth-longest in Division II history.

NKU advances to the championship round at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, weather permitting. The Norse will face either SIUE, West Virginia Wesleyan or Northwood and need just one win to capture the regional title.

NKU is the defending NCAA Division II Great Lakes Region champion. The 52-game winning streak is the longest in collegiate softball history.