The Northern Kentucky University Softball team dropped both games of their double header against Great Lakes Valley Conference opponent University of Indianapolis (15-11, 6-2 in the GLVC) March 28.

Junior second baseman Rose Broderick sparked the Norse in the top of the first inning of Game 1, leading off with a home run over the right center field wall.

The Greyhounds sophomore second basemen Jamie Keltz led off the bottom of the first with a single, and she scooted to second off of a wild pitch and scored off of a double by junior designated player Megan Russel to tie the game at 1-1.’ Senior third baseman Jenny Swanson jacked a two out triple to right field to drive in Russel for the go ahead run.

After struggling through the first inning, both pitchers settled down as neither gave up a run in the second or third innings.

Indianapolis added a run to their lead in the bottom of the fourth when junior shortstop Carmen Martinez connected for a solo shot to center field.

Senior first baseman Amanda Smith, who went 3-4, helped the Norse tie the game at 3-3, off a two run double in the top of the fifth.

However, the Greyhounds scored a run in the bottom of the fifth to take a 4-3 lead.’ They added five runs off of four hits in the bottom of the sixth to put NKU away, 9-3.

The Norse’s offense struggled mightily in the second game of the double header as they only recorded two hits and one run.

NKU collected their only run in the top of the sixth when Broderick hit her second solo homerun of the day.

Broderick’s 14th homer broke the record for most homeruns in a career at NKU which was previously held by Krista Eldridge (1999-02) who hit 13 homeruns in her four year career.

The Greyhounds defeated the Norse 6-1, in the second game to complete the sweep.
The Norse traveled to Rensselaer, Indiana for a double header against GLVC foe, St. Joseph’s College (17-11, 6-4 in the GLVC) to complete their four game road trip on March 29 at SJC Softball Field.’ However the games were postponed due to inclement weather and it is unknown whether or not the games will be rescheduled at this point.
Next, the Norse (13-15, 3-5 in the GLVC) will host a double header against the University of Southern Indiana (8-22, 0-4 in the GLVC) at noon on April 4 at Frank Ignatius Grein Softball Field.

The Screaming Eagles are 0-6 away from home so far this season.’ They have just three starters whose batting average is above .250.’ Junior outfielder Lindsay Raikes is hitting .294, sophomore infielder Amanda Brendel is hitting .286 and sophomore first baseman Brittany DeWeese is hitting .266 on year.’ ‘ The rest of the squad is below a .240 average.’ As a unit, Southern Indy owns a .234 average this season.’ If the NKU pitchers can control the contest, the Norse should be able to add a couple games to the win column.
DeWeese leads the team in homeruns (4) and in RBI’s (13).’ Two other players are tied with three homers a piece and 12 RBI’s.

The running attack could play large for the Norse in this matchup as the Screaming Eagles have only attempted nine stolen bases in 30 games.’ They have allowed their opponents to steal 30 bases out of 33 attempts.’ Aggressive and smart base running should be a point of emphasis for the Norse in this GLVC showdown.

The key to the game for NKU is to get aggressive with the bats.’ The USI pitching staff has posted a 3.25 earned run average and has allowed the oppositions to hit .283.’ They have surrendered 37 doubles and 15 long balls throughout the course of the season.
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