GAME 1 (HTML | PDF) | GAME 2 (HTML | PDF)
MOREHEAD, Ky. – Morehead State senior Amber Riddle made history in game one of a softball doubleheader sweep over Northern Kentucky at University Field on Tuesday with her 31st career home run.
In game one, MSU defeated the Norse, 3-0, and the nightcap ended in an 8-5 decision for the Eagles. The sweep improved MSU to 13-11 on the season, while NKU dropped to 7-25.
“That home run was a big deal for Amber and is a testament to the work she has put in here,” Head Coach David Williams said. “It was important for her to leave a mark on our program.”
Riddle went 1-for-2 in game one, while seniors Adrena Anderson, Sam Woodall and Kayla Ashbrook and freshman Tressa Watson all recorded hits. Ashbrook and Watson registered the Eagles’ other two RBI.
Senior Katie Pfost earned the shutout in the circle to improve her record to 7-6 on the season. Pfost allowed three hits and struck out eight in the contest. Senior Emily Schwaeble suffered the loss for NKU to fall to 2-13 on the season.
MSU picked up the early lead in the contest with an RBI double from Ashbrook in the first inning that drove in Anderson. The Eagles’ extended the lead in the fourth inning by Riddle’s record breaking hit, and further in the sixth when freshman pinch hitter Tressa Watson hit a single to right that forced an error and brought in fellow freshman Dana Hutchins.
The second contest started the same as the opening game as MSU picked up a run in the first to take another early lead. This time, senior Elizabeth Wagner connected on an RBI single down the left field line to score Anderson. Anderson came around to score again in the following inning via a Riddle base knock that also plated sophomore Katie Raile.
MSU extended its lead when senior Anna Sommer hit her first home run of the season, and fifth of her career, to put the Eagles on top 5-0 in the third frame. NKU stole a run back from the Eagles in the fourth off a bases loaded walk.
The Eagles tacked on three more in the fourth off a pair of sacrifice flies and an NKU error to secure the victory. NKU constructed a two-run fifth and a one-run seventh inning.
Junior Greta Smeins (4-2) earned the victory in 3.1 innings of work. She allowed five hits, one earned run and struck out two. Fellow junior Kelcey McMurray pitched 1.2 innings of relief and struck out two, while Pfost added 2.0 innings of work and struck out a pair. Sophomore Kelley Benhase absorbed the loss to dip to 5-11.
At the plate, Anderson, Woodall, Sommer and Raile all registered a pair of hits.
“After having played them once this season, we were able to put together a better game plan,” Williams said. “We knew their pitching staff so our offense came out more prepared.”
MSU is back in action on Saturday when it travels to Austin Peay, and finishes up the weekend at Murray State. Both doubleheaders have a 1 p.m. ET scheduled start time.
