The Northern Kentucky University softball team wraps up the 2016 regular season this weekend with a three-game series at Horizon League foe Youngstown State. The series opens on Friday with a 3 p.m. first pitch and wraps up on Saturday at 1 p.m. with a doubleheader.
Game Information
Northern Kentucky University Norse (12-38, 4-16 Horizon)
Youngstown State University Penguins (27-18, 13-6 Horizon)
YSU Softball Complex – Youngstown, Ohio
May 6 – 3 p.m.
May 7 – 1 p.m. (DH)
Series History: First meeting
Last Time Out – The Norse took one of three games from Green Bay during their final home series last weekend. Kate Bartolovich clubbed two home runs over the weekend and drove in five runs while she, Dani Devlin and Nicolette Hayes each scored three runs as well. Jordan Harbacek struck out seven batters over 9.2 innings and picked up her third shutout of the season.
Scouting Youngstown State – The Penguins enter the weekend series having swept Detroit in a three-game midweek series to solidify a spot in the top three of the Horizon League standings at 13-6. The League’s top offensive team, YSU has three players with nine or more home runs on the season, led by Miranda Castiglione, who is batting .434 with a .791 slugging percentage, boasting nine home runs, 15 doubles, 48 runs scored, 42 RBIs and 21 stolen bases. Caitlyn Minney leads the Penguins’ efforts in the circle with a 13-7 record and a 3.96 ERA. She has struck out 83 batters in 139.2 innings this season.
The Series – This weekend will mark the first meeting between the Norse and the Penguins.
Division I Firsts – Kate Bartolovich and Jordan Harbacek each etched their names in NKU history last weekend in a 7-0 win over Green Bay. Bartolovich became the first NKU batter in the Division I era to hit two home runs in a game, cranking a two-run bomb in the fourth inning and following with a three-run homer in the sixth. Harbacek became the first Norse pitcher since 2012 to throw back-to-back shutouts, following her effort against IUPUI on Tuesday by scattering six hits and striking out six batters in the win.
From NKU Athletics