Kara Lorenz scores the go-ahead run

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - This could not have been scripted any better for Northern Kentucky University’s four seniors, each of whom played big roles in a sweep of Quincy on Saturday.

Due to the threat of rain forecasted for Sunday, NKU moved its Senior Day festivities up to Saturday afternoon as the Norse hosted Quincy. During a 6-1 NKU win in the opener, senior left fielder Heather Cotner went 3-for-4 and scored twice, while senior second baseman Ricki Rothbauer added two hits and scored a run.

Senior shortstop Rachele Vogelpohl added a hit and several fine defensive plays in the opener as the Norse cruised behind freshman pitcher Amanda Smith’s three-hitter.

In the second game, senior center fielder Kara Lorenz scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth inning as NKU rallied for a 4-3 victory. That came after Rothbauer tied the score at 3-all with a clutch two-out single up the middle that drove in Katybeth Coode.

NKU jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second game as Sarah King laced a two-run double in the first inning. Quincy, however, used home runs from Jasmyn Wentland and Teresa Bertelli to even the score at 2-all after four innings.

Quincy took a 3-2 lead in the top of the sixth on an RBI double by Missy Weaver. NKU battled back as Cara Parker led off with a walk, and Coode followed by putting down a sacrifice bunt that Quincy pitcher Kory Paul fielded and threw to second attempting to force Parker.

The throw was late, putting runners on first and second with no outs. Jenny Weis followed with a sacrifice which put runners on second and third with one out. Lorenz attempted to squeeze in Parker from third, but Parker was thrown out at the plate by Paul.

Ricki Rothbauer hauls in the final out

That brought Rothbauer to the plate, and she delivered a tying single up the middle. Cotner followed with a ground ball up the middle that was gloved on a nice play by second baseman Mary Wiedman. Wiedman, however, threw wildly trying to force Rothbauer at second, and Lorenz scored to give NKU a 4-3 lead.

Quincy threatened in the seventh by loading the bases with no outs. A force play at home prevented Quincy from tying the game, and Smith worked out of the jam by inducing the Hawks to hit infield pop ups for the final two outs.

Rothbauer gloved the final out of the game, a pop up off the bat of Audra Heimer that NKU’s senior second baseman caught in foul territory down the first-base line.

King was 2-for-4 with two RBI for NKU, which improved to 33-17 overall, 13-9 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Smith picked up her second victory of the day by pitching 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.

Smith upped her record to 18-9 this season, and she needs two victories to become just the second freshman in Norse history to reach the 20-win plateau. Emily Breitholle also won 20 games for NKU in 2002.

Quincy dropped to 23-25 overall, 8-14 in the GLVC. The two losses eliminated Quincy from GLVC Tournament contention. Weather permitting, NKU is scheduled to play host to Missouri-St. Louis at noon Sunday.

GAME 1 BOX SCORE

GAME 2 BOX SCORE