Dani Devlin’s three-run home-run helped key the Northern Kentucky University softball team to a 3-0 victory over IUPUI in the second game of a rainy doubleheader.
The win secured a split in the twin bill, as IUPUI took a 2-1 win in the opener. The result brought NKU to 11-36 on the year.
Game 1
After Zahrya McFarland struck out to begin the game for the Norse, Kate Bartolovich lined a solo home run, her fifth of the year, over the left field fence to take the early 1-0 lead over IUPUI (16-29).
Ashlynn Roberts kept the Jaguars at bay until the top of the fifth inning when Delilah Wright came to bat with runners on second and third and singled up the middle to score two runs and take the lead over the Norse.
Brooke Boetjer (9-12) held the Norse to only one more baserunner for the remainder of the game, a seventh inning walk by Jordan Harbacek, striking out six while only walking one batter and giving up only one hit.
Ashlynn Roberts (0-6) pitched very well for the Norse despite being handed the loss. In seven innings she picked up three strike outs and surrendered only four hits.
Game 2
After a quiet first two innings, Zahrya McFarland double to center field to score Sydney Ferrante, who drew a one-out walk. Dani Devlin followed with a two-run shot, her fourth of the year, to right-center field, driving in McFarland and taking a 3-0.
A 57-minute lightning delay followed by a deluge of rain forced an early end to the contest, with the Norse claiming their third shutout win of the season.
Harbacek (7-12) gave up six hits and struck out five in the win, claiming her second shutout of the year. The loss fell to Kaitlynn Moody (5-9), who surrendered three runs on two hits, walked two and struck out four.
The Norse return to action at home this weekend as they open their final three-game series at home against Horizon League foe Green Bay on Friday, April 29. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
NKU falls to Ball State, 13-1
Brad Bohlen went 2-for-4 with an RBI on Tuesday as the Northern Kentucky University baseball team fell to Ball State, 13-1, at First Merchants Ballpark Complex.
Trey Ganns, Conor Ledger and Quint Heady each registered a hit while Aric Harris and Kevin Herren combined for 2.2 innings of work with one run allowed.
Northern Kentucky (15-27) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Mike Moffatt reached on an error to lead off the frame, advanced on a sacrifice bunt off the bat of Ledger and scored on Bohlen’s RBI single for NKU’s lone run.
A 38-minute lightning delay interrupted the contest in the middle of the fifth inning with Ball State leading 6-1 after scoring four runs in the fourth inning with the help of a three-run home run from Alex Call.
Ball State (25-17) emerged from the lightning delay with an offensive surge, scoring six runs to lead 12-1 in the bottom of the sixth and put the game out of reach.
The Norse return to action this weekend for a three-game Horizon League series at Milwaukee. The series begins Friday, April 29 with a 4 p.m. ET first pitch. Saturday’s first pitch is set for 2 p.m. while the finale will be played at approximately 6 p.m. at Miller Park, home of the Milwaukee Brewers, on Sunday.
NORSE NOTES:
· Bohlen is on a four-game hit streak and has batted 6-for-13 with two RBI and a run scored over the last four contests.
· Heady has also hit safely in the last four games, matching Bohlen with a 6-for-13 showing in addition to three runs scored.
From NKU Athletics