Heather Cotner

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The Northern Kentucky University softball team will play host to Southern Illinois at Edwardsville at noon Saturday at the Frank Ignatius Grein Softball Field.

NKU enters that doubleheader with a 21-11 overall record. The Norse are 5-5 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.

SIUE is 28-4 overall, and the Cougars lead the GLVC with a 6-0 record. SIUE was the preseason pick to win the GLVC title this year.

NKU will also meet Southern Indiana at noon Sunday in a GLVC doubleheader. The Screaming Eagles are 17-12 overall, 3-3 in the GLVC.

Amanda Smith hurled a four-hit shutout in the opener Sunday as NKU posted a 6-0 win at Missouri-Rolla. Smith, a freshman pitcher from Canal Winchester, Ohio, finished with six strikeouts and improved to 11-5. Smith also collected two hits at the plate.

Heather Cotner and Sarah King each drove in two runs for NKU, which used a four-run sixth inning to seal the victory. Katybeth Coode added two hits for the Norse.

NKU and SIUE did not meet in the regular season in 2005 due to a rainout. The teams played during the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Region Tournament, and the Norse posted a 2-0 victory over SIUE in their only meeting last season.