NKU Slams Way to Second GLVC Softball Championship Title
EAST PEORIA, Ill. – Behind a barrage of home runs and a clutch pitching performance from sophomore April Ehlers, the Northern Kentucky Norse topped Lewis University, 10-2 in six innings, in the championship game of the 2009 Great Lakes Valley Conference Softball Tournament held at the EastSide Centre in East Peoria, Ill. on Sunday afternoon. With the 10-2 victory, the Norse claimed the school’s second GLVC softball crown and first since 2005.
After falling behind 1-0 in the top of the first on the first of two home runs on the day by the Flyers’ Courtney Lyons, the Norse quickly responded in the bottom half of the inning as rightfielder Ashley Gates blasted a grand slam giving Northern Kentucky a 4-1 advantage it would never surrender.
Lewis edged closer pulling the score to 4-2 in the third inning, however, the Norse ensured they would not falter on the afternoon as senior Rose Broderick slammed her sixth home run of the season. The three-run shot gave the Norse a near insurmountable 7-2 advantage.
Northern Kentucky sealed the contest in the bottom half of the sixth inning with a three-run output. The inning was highlighted by a two-run home run by Gretchen Lorenz, her first of the season.
Ehlers collected the win on the afternoon, pushing her overall record on the season to 18-12. Ehlers allowed just four hits and the two solo home runs, while striking out three.
Lyons took the loss for the Flyers. The senior surrendered seven earned runs in five innings of work to fall to 12-11 on the season.
Northern Kentucky (31-21) secured the league’s automatic berth to the NCAA Division II tournament with the victory. Lewis (38-18) will also likely advance to one of two Midwest Regionals next weekend.