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By Mike Anderson, NKU Sports Information NKU-WSU box score | NKU-UWA box score DECATUR, Ala. – The Northern Kentucky University softball team opened the season on a positive note by taking a 3-1 decision from Wayne State in the opening game of the UAH Charger Chillout. The Norse succeeded on the effort of April Ehlers’ outstanding pitching performance. The sophomore gave up just two hits and struck out three Warriors in the complete-game victory. The bats rang true for the Norse as well, who scattered 12 hits on the day but stranded runners in every inning after the first. The offense got on the board in the sixth when Cara Parker slapped a one-out double to right center. Ashley Gates followed by taking a pitch in the hip, and both players would advance on a passed ball. Stephanie West then stepped in and sliced a single through the right side of the infield to plate both Parker and Gates. Rachel Spaccarotelli was quick to answer for Wayne State in the bottom half of the frame, driving an 0-2 pitch over the left field wall to cut the lead to one. Gates got the run back for the Norse in the seventh by pushing an RBI-single to right to score Katybeth Coode, who had singled to open the inning. Ehlers (1-0) came back to shut down the Warriors in the seventh to get the win. Five Norse had two hits on the game, including Gates’ 2-for-2 performance. Game 2 saw NKU jump out to a 4-1 lead on West Alabama on runs driven in by Gates, Coode, Amanda Smith and Rose Broderick. However, the Tigers marched back with a four-run third inning pocked by three Norse errors. The Tigers added another run in the fifth to come to a 6-4 final tally. Chelsie Roy (0-1) struck out two in four-plus innings of work for the Norse. NKU (1-1) returns to action tomorrow against Lynn and West Florida. |
