Northern Kentucky University’s Women’s Softball Team had its sights set high this weekend as the Norse traveled to Illinois to play nationally ranked Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. Unfortunately the team’s plan did not work out quite the way NKU wanted it to. The Norse was on the verge of the upset in the first game leading 3-1 going into the bottom of the seventh, but going into the eighth the score was tied up at three. In the home half of the inning though, the Cougars loaded the bases and drove in the winning run on the next batter, defeating the Norse 4-3.

Starting pitcher Amanda Smith picked up the loss for the game going 7 2/3 innings, striking out two and walking three.

Catcher Jenny Weis and first base Becky Napier combined to go 2-for-7, knocking in all three of the Norse’s runs.

In the second game the Norse’s Candace White picked up the loss making her 10-6 on the year. White threw 4 2/3 innings allowing nine hits. Sydney Doyle picked up the only RBI on the day with her single in the fourth inning, but the team was unable to get any more offense losing 10-1.

During the course of the two games the Norse committed seven errors and had nine hits. Weis supplied the biggest hit of the day when she rocked a two-run double early in the first game giving the Norse its two-run lead.

On the season the losses drop the Norse to a 20-18 record (5-7 Great Lakes Valley Conference record) and are now eighth in the GLVC standings. The Norse will play April 14 starting at noon against the University of Missouri-Rolla at the Grein Softball field.