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By Mike Anderson, NKU Sports Information KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- After an abysmal start to the Rebel Spring Games on Saturday, the Northern Kentucky University softball team set themselves on a new course when they took the field at the crack of dawn Sunday morning. The Norse snapped a five-game losing streak by defeating East Stroudsburg, 3-2, before falling in extra innings, 5-3, to Northwood (Mich.). Things were a bit chancy at first for freshman pitcher April Ehlers, who gave up base hits to open the first and second frames before settling in to collect three strikeouts in each inning. Ehlers then proceeded to help her own cause, doubling in Amanda Smith in the bottom of the second, who had a double of her own to lead off. The Norse added
another run in the fifth after Sam Del Vecchio lead off with
a bloop single to left. Krista Smith came in to pinch run and
was sacrificed to third by Gretchen Lorenz and Stephanie West.
Smith later Ehlers
got through the third and fourth innings without surrendering
hits before her day started to sour. Missy McAloon got a one-out
single to start a rally in the fifth before Brittany Racek
knocked a single into left field The Norse took back the lead in the top of the sixth with Amanda Smith's leadoff single. Katybeth Coode followed up with a bunt single that got past second baseman Briana Malachowski. After Chelsea Toler struck out, Ehlers came up and delivered the game-winning RBI with a single to left. The Greenville, Ind., native proceeded to retire the final eight batters of the game to preserve the win, her first of her collegiate career. Ehlers struck out 13 and walked just one, giving up one earned run in the process.
Northern Kentucky's second game did not end quite so well, as Northwood took advantage of a late error to tie things up before winning the game in the eighth. The Norse got on the board early once again, with Weis reaching base via a throwing error in the bottom of the first. After stealing second base, she came around to score on Amanda Smith's double to left center. NKU put another run on the board in the bottom of the second as the Norse strung back-to-back-to-back base hits to open the frame, with Toler knocking in Coode with an RBI double. Northwood then proceeded to fight back in the top of the sixth, starting with Sam Thacker's lead off single. Tiffany Melgoza attempted to sacrifice herself, but wound up on base after a throwing error on the play. Alyssa Eppler followed up with a single to drive in Jamie Swick, who came in to pinch run for Thacker, and cut the lead to one. A sacrifice bunt moved runners into scoring position to set up Laura Bettcher's squeeze bunt to tie the game. A second squeeze attempt proved unsuccessful before Ashley Belling helped the Timberwolves take the lead with a two-out RBI single. Chelsie Roy came in to retire the final batter of the inning. Ehlers returned to action in the top of the seventh, surrendering two hits but getting out of trouble to give the Norse a chance to win it. The
Norse responded in the bottom of the
seventh when Lorenz took a 1-0 pitch to
left center for a lead off double. West sacrificed her centerfielder
to third before Jenny Weis laid down a bunt single to score Northwood responded with two runs in the top of the extra frame as Slusser laced a shot into center field. Lorenz fired the ball home in time to catch Bettcher, but the Northwood shortstop was ruled safe on obstruction, giving the Timberwolves the lead. They would add another run on an RBI single by Thacker to take the two-run advantage. NKU couldn't get anything started after Coode led off with a single, but couldn't produce another hit to keep the game alive. Ehlers got saddled with the loss, moving to 1-4 on the season. Amanda Smith pitched 5 2/3 innings in the start, striking out four without allowing an earned run. Ehlers went 5-for-7 in the two games, while Amanda Smith was 4-for-8 all-told on the day. In Game 2 against Northwood, Weis went 2-for-3 with three stolen bases, bringing her team-high total to six. Northern Kentucky (2-6) will take on No. 4 Lock Haven and Saint Xavier in Monday’s action at the Rebel Spring Games. |
