Heather Cotner after scoring the winning run

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Cara Parker’s two-run single with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning gave Northern Kentucky University a 4-3 victory over Wayne (Mich.) State in the second game of a doubleheader on Wednesday.

Wayne State snapped a 1-1 tie in the top of the seventh inning by scoring a pair of runs on three hits. Kara Lorenz led off the bottom of the inning for NKU by drawing a walk, and Ricki Rothbauer followed with a single to left field.

Heather Cotner then singled up the middle to drive in Lorenz and cut the Wayne State lead to 3-2. After Rachele Vogelpohl laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to advance the runners, Amanda Smith was intentionally walked after getting ahead 3-0 in the count.

Katybeth Coode stepped to the plate, and Wayne State pitcher Meghan Misiak struck out the NKU freshman designated player. That brought up Parker, who lined a Misiak delivery up the middle to drive in both Rothbauer and Cotner and give the Norse a crucial regional victory against the first-place team in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

NKU, a member of the Great Lakes Valley Conference, improved to 29-15. The Norse are also ranked No. 5 in the latest NCAA Division II Great Lakes Region poll. Wayne State is 25-18 overall, and the Warriors are No. 6 in the Great Lakes Region poll.

Rothbauer finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored for NKU. Parker and Cotner each added two hits for the Norse.

In the opener, Misiak tossed a four-hit shutout as Wayne State posted a 2-0 win over NKU. Laura Guzman hit a solo home run in the seventh inning for the Warriors. NKU stranded six runners, including five in scoring position.

NKU will resume GLVC play this weekend with road doubleheaders at Wisconsin-Parkside and Lewis. The Norse will meet Wisconsin-Parkside on Saturday, followed by two games at Lewis on Sunday.

GAME 1 BOX SCORE

GAME 2 BOX SCORE