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By Mike Anderson, NKU Sports Information HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Since Rose Broderick came to Northern Kentucky University, she has been a key power hitter. From the leadoff spot, the Oak Hills High School graduate set a new mark for the Norse with seven home runs in 2007. After Friday, she would seem well on her way to setting another mark for the Norse. Broderick went deep in each of NKU’s games as the Norse managed a split against Great Lakes Valley Conference rival Wisconsin-Parkside, losing Game 1 by a 10-4 score before recouping and taking a 5-3 decision in Game 2. The scoring was fast and furious in the game’s first three innings. The Norse (5-11, 1-1 GLVC) opened the top of the first with Amanda Smith’s two-run double to score Broderick and Stephanie West and jump out in front early. Katrina Homa answered with an RBI single in the bottom of the first to draw the gap to one. The Rangers took the lead in the second inning when Stephanie Luska took the first pitch she saw over the wall in left-center to score two runs. Broderick’s first long ball came in the third inning after Katybeth Coode sent Meagan Shimkus’s first pitch rocketing back up the middle for a single. Broderick found a 3-2 pitch on the outside part of the plate and got just ahead to tattoo the ball 225 feet just inside the left-field foul pole. Parkside’s Lisa Casey answered with a two-run homer of her own in the bottom of the third to give the Rangers a 5-4 lead after three complete. The Rangers broke it open in the fifth inning, sending 10 batters to the plate and scoring five runs to make the 10-4 final score.
The Norse had chances in the sixth and seventh innings with runners on base, but Shimkus shut the door, striking out four batters in the game’s final two innings to take the victory. April Ehlers (2-7) was taken for nine earned runs in the game, picking up seven strikeouts. Chelsie Roy pitched two innings of relief with one strikeout. Broderick and Smith each finished the game 2-for-3 with two runs batted in. Shimkus (5-2) took the win for Parkside, striking out nine without giving up a walk. Broderick stole the show in Game 2 as a part of NKU’s big third inning. Sam Del Vecchio was plunked in the ankle to get the rally started. West followed up with a bloop single to left center to set up Coode’s RBI single to give the Norse a 1-0 lead, which, in turn, set up Broderick’s second home run of the day. After the sophomore worked a 3-1 count, she found an inside pitch that she belted to left field. As Christine Holthus tracked the ball, the wind picked it up and sent it just off the top of the fence and over. Coode got in the action herself with a solo shot of her own to lead off the fifth inning. The Rangers answered with three runs in the bottom of the sixth, but the NKU defense held strong for the victory. Smith (2-1) took the circle for the victory in Game 2 with four strikeouts and seven hits allowed. Shatona Campbell had a solid game at the plate, going 2-for-3 in the nightcap. Coode was 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Jessica Bryant (2-2) took the loss for Parkside, giving up four earned runs in four innings. The Norse get an early wake-up call Saturday morning as they prepare to host Lewis for a 9 a.m. first pitch in Great Lakes Valley Conference action. |
