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By Mike Anderson, NKU Sports Information RENSSELAER, Ind. - The postseason hopes of the Northern Kentucky University softball team were dealt a major blow Saturday at the hands of Saint Joseph’s as the Norse dropped both games of a Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheader. A leadoff walk to Stephanie Madsen in the top of the first inning was all the Pumas needed to take a 1-0 decision in game one. Danielle Austin followed up with a bunt single before a double steal put two in scoring position for Cheryl Zakowski, who drove in the game’s only run. Candace White (11-8) took the loss for NKU, retiring 11 straight Pumas at one point. White finished with just four hits allowed and four strikeouts. Sara Somogyi (17-9) showed why she is a two-time GLVC Pitcher of the Week, striking out 14 NKU batters in the complete-game shutout victory. The first inning was just as ominous for NKU in the second game as it was in the first, as the Norse surrendered six runs in the game’s opening frame to fall, 7-3. Amanda Smith went 2-for-3 with an RBI double in the nightcap, while Becky Napier was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Karen Simmons (3-2) pitched just one inning in the loss, surrendering six runs on six hits. White returned for five innings of relief work and picked up three more strikeouts. Jessie Privett (7-7) got the win for Saint Joseph’s with seven strikeouts. The losses dropped the Norse to 22-22 overall, and 7-11 in GLVC play, landing them in 10th place in the conference and two games back of eighth-place Wisconsin-Parkside. NKU travels to Indianapolis to wrap up the road trip Sunday. |
