Saint Joseph's Takes First Game of NCAA DII Super Regional at NKU
SJC Staff Report
BOX SCORE | NKU RECAP
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ken. – The second time through the order lifted the Saint Joseph’s College softball team to a 2-1 upset victory over Northern Kentucky University in the opening game of NCAA Midwest Regional. SJC manufactured two runs in the top of the fourth and through pitching and defense took the edge in the three-game series.
The Norse (38-20) put runners on first and second in the bottom of the first inning courtesy of two-up hits. NKU managed to load the bases in the frame, but the lone came off a failed pick-off play. Megan Ramey (Yorktown, Ind., Yorktown) pitched-out of the jam and started to put-up a line of zeros on the Frank Ignatius Grein Softball Field scoreboard.
As the top of the fourth rolled around the Pumas (38-19) were back to the top of the order. Amy Varner (Mount Prospect, Ill., Prospect) led the inning off with a single through the right side and advanced to second after Kylie Weeks (Kokomo, Ind., Taylor) successfully executed a sacrifice bunt. Stephanie Winter (Indianapolis, IN, Southport) tied the game with a RBI double into left-centerfield. Winter moved to third on a pass ball when Shawn Hoskins (Pendleton, Ind., Pendleton Heights) gave SJC a 2-1 edge with a single into left field.
The pitchers continued to battle as the defense provided quick innings. The Pumas looked to add to their lead in the seventh as the heart of the order came to the plate. With runners on first and second with one-out, Audra Rains (Richmond, Ind., Northeastern) connected with a solid single into rightfield. Pinch-runner Hillary Banks (Monticello, Ind., Twin Lakes) looked to slide in under the tag, but was recorded as the second out of the inning. Emily Schwaeble got Rachel Weaver to ground-out to end the threat.
NKU had the top of the order due up in the bottom half as SJC turned to Sarah Franklin (Greenwood, Ind., Center Grove) to close-out the game. Jessica Farris led off the inning with a bunt single, giving two of the most dangerous hitters in the Great Lakes Valley Conference a chance to do some damage. Franklin got both Kaylin Steinmetz and Schwaeble to strikeout swinging, then Mandi McQueen popped-out to Varner to end the game.
The Pumas will look to eliminate NKU on Saturday as the Super Regional Series continues. First pitch is scheduled for 12 pm EDT. If necessary game three will start immediately following the conclusion of game two.