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By Mike Anderson, NKU Sports Information HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University softball team picked up some momentum on Thursday with a pair of late-inning rallies to sweep Findlay in a non-conference doubleheader. The Norse (13-19, 4-8 GLVC) hope to carry that momentum into this weekend when they enter Great Lakes Valley Conference action against Saint Joseph’s on Saturday and Indianapolis on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for noon each day. The Norse are trying to claw themselves into the playoff picture, as their performance thus far has them in a three-way for 10th place in the league, with the top eight teams earning spots in the GLVC tournament. And as the season draws closer and closer to a conclusion, each game becomes that much more pivotal. Saint Joseph’s currently stands ninth in the GLVC at 4-7, while Indianapolis is 9-4 and in third place. THE LAST TIME AGAINST SAINT JOSEPH’S: The Norse were swept by Saint Joseph’s, 1-0 and 7-3, to put the GLVC Tournament out of reach in 2007. Amanda Smith and Becky Napier each claimed two hits in Game 2, but the Norse couldn’t overcome a six-run first inning by the Pumas. Since 2000, the Norse hold a 10-6 edge over the Pumas. THE LAST TIME AGAINST INDIANAPOLIS: The Greyhounds jumped out early in each of their games against the Norse, taking 5-2 and 6-4 wins to sweep the doubleheader. Rose Broderick and Becky Napier hit home runs in a four-run seventh inning in Game 2, but it wasn’t enough to push the Norse to victory. NKU holds a slim 9-7 lead in the series since 2000. NEW HOME-RUN CROWN: Katybeth Coode hit two home runs against Findlay on Thursday to give her eight on the season, setting a new single-season mark at NKU. The previous record holder, sophomore Rose Broderick, hit seven long-balls in 2007 to set a new bar. Both Coode and Broderick each have 10 career home runs as they look to chase down Krista Eldridge’s 13 career dingers from 1999-2002. CARA “THE CRUSHER”: Cara Parker sent the fans home happy on Thursday with a walk-off grand slam in Game 2 against Findlay. The home run was her second of the season and marked a turning point in the 2008 campaign for the junior, who was just 2-for-27 to open the season’s first 20 games, but has gone 11-for-29 in her last 10 for a batting average of .379 during the span. EHLERS FINDS HER AIM: April Ehlers got back in the groove on Thursday after having a couple of bumpy starts last weekend. Against Findlay in Game 1, Ehlers struck out the first six batters she faced, and seven of her first eight, en route to a 3-1 victory. Ehlers finished the game by fanning 11 batters and walking just three while allowing three hits. |
