Tim Downer

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Stephanie Leimbach collected three hits and scored three runs Sunday afternoon as the Northern Kentucky University softball team swept a doubleheader from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, 9-1, 5-2, at the Frank Ignatius Grein Softball Field.

Leimbach was 2-for-2 with a pair of runs scored in the opener, and she also added a run-scoring single. Angie Lindeman added two hits and two RBI as the Norse used a five-run third inning to seal the victory.

Sophomore pitcher Krystal Lewallen improved to 13-1 by allowing just four hits and an unearned run in the opener. She also had five strikeouts in the five-inning victory.

Lewallen’s performance comes just one week after being named GLVC pitcher of the week. During the spring break trip to Florida, Lewallen went 7-1 with 75 strikeouts and a 0.12 ERA. On the season, Lewallen is 12-1 with a 0.23 ERA, with seven shutouts, three saves and 114 strikeouts.

In the nightcap, NKU’s Emily Breitholle improved to 7-0 this season by scattering five hits in seven innings on the mound as the Norse cruised to a 5-2 win. NKU scored four runs in the third inning and coasted to the doubleheader sweep.

Leimbach scored a run and added an RBI single for NKU, which improved to 23-1 overall. Lindeman also collected a run-scoring hit during the third inning for the Norse, who are 4-0 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.

NKU’s 23-1 start is the best in the history of the program.

NKU will play a non-conference doubleheader at Ohio Dominican today, and the Norse will play in the GLIAC/GLVC Challenge at Peoria, Ill., beginning at 6 p.m. Friday with a game against Gannon (Pa.) University.

In baseball action this weekend, Rick Wood scattered eight hits and allowed just two runs Sunday as the Northern Kentucky University baseball team defeated the University of Missouri-St. Louis, 9-2, in the first game of a doubleheader at the Bill Aker Baseball Complex atFriendship Field.

Wood also had five strikeouts en route to the complete-game victory for the Norse, who snapped a 2-2 tie by scoring four runs in the fifth inning.

NKU added three insurance runs in the sixth inning, and Wood notched his third victory of the season.

Jerrod Fraley went 3-for-4 with four runs batted in for NKU. Keith Jackson added two hits and three RBI for the Norse.

Jackson upped his season average to .315 with eight doubles and nine RBI’s in 20 games. Fraley is now hitting .242. with two home runs and nine RBI’s in 19 games for the Norse.

Missouri-St. Louis gained a split of the doubleheader in the nightcap with an 8-2 victory.

Starting pitcher Derrick Moeves got his first win of the season in the second game on Saturday, as NKU also split a doubleheader with the Rivermen on Saturday.

NKU will travel to Ashland, Ohio, today for a doubleheader against Ashland University at 1 p.m.

*Article by Sports Information *Kyle Burch contributed