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By Mike Anderson, NKU Sports Information NKU-FSU box score | NKU-SVSU box score KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The Northern Kentucky University softball team got off to a rough start on Day 1 of the Rebel Spring Games, losing to Ferris State, 5-2, before claiming a 4-1 victory over Saginaw Valley State. The Bulldogs jumped out to a 5-0 lead in Game 1, plating one in the first inning, three in the third and one more in the fourth. The Norse finally got the scoring going in the seventh after Cara Parker and Ashley Gates, who combined for five of NKU’s six hits on the game, hit back-to-back singles to open the inning. After the two advanced on a wild pitch, Gretchen Lorenz came through in a pinch hit situation, grounding out to third to drive in Parker, while an errant throw in an attempt to turn a double play allowed Gates to score. NKU’s offense came to a halt there, however, for the final score. April Ehlers took the loss for NKU, striking out eight in five innings of work, with Chelsie Roy picking up two strikeouts in an inning of relief. Game 2 against Saginaw Valley (1-1) saw the offense start early once again as Cardinal pitcher Stacy Kraatz helped her own cause with a solo home run in the top of the first. The Norse responded with a pair of their own, keyed by Stephanie West’s infield single to lead off the inning. Rose Broderick followed up with a sacrifice bunt, reaching on a throwing error by Kraatz to give NKU two runners on base. Ehlers then followed Kraatz’s lead, lacing an RBI-single up the middle to knot the score at one. Amanda Smith followed with a suicide-squeeze to bring in Broderick and give the Norse the lead. NKU got two more in the fourth on a two-run triple from Gates, her first three-bagger of the season. Ehlers (3-3) was as strong in Game 2 as she was in Game 1, picking up another eight strikeouts in another five innings of work. Roy struck out one while picking up a six-out save, her first of the season. NKU moves to 4-4 on the season and faces Fayetteville State and Minnesota State in tomorrow’s action. |
