May 7, 2004
Box Score
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky.- -
Lewis University and Northern Kentucky staged a pair of epic games at the Great Lakes Valley Conference tournament a week ago, and the teams added another chapter to the saga with a thrilling 2-1 game where the top-seeded Norse were victorious.
The Flyers (45-12) have made a habit of cracking the scoreboard early as the team has scored 50 of its 227 runs this season in the first inning. Lewis added another run to that tally when Amy Roberts reached on a bases loaded hit-by-pitch in the first inning.
Northern Kentucky (53-5) showed its mettle coming from behind to score a single run in both the fifth and sixth innings. NKU's Sara Becker paved the way for both Norse runs. She led off the bottom of the fifth with a single that went off the top of Lewis first baseman Stacy Davis (Darien, Ill./Downers Grove South)' glove. Becker was then pinch run for, and Heather Cotner followed with a single to left field that put runners on first and second. A sacrifice bunt followed, bringing up Rachel Vogelpohl with one out. Vogelpohl hit a sharp ground ball to second base that Elaina Ktistou fielded cleanly however Ktistou's throw to the plate drifted towards the first base line, allowing NKU to plate its first run.
In the sixth inning, Stephanie Leimbach led off with a bunt single. She was then sacrificed to second and third, bringing up Becker with two outs. Despite falling behind in the count 1-2, Becker managed to rip a single back through the middle and drive home the game-winning run.
NKU's Krystal Lewallen (30-3) retired the side in order in the top of the seventh to secure the win. Mary Jaszczak (19-6) took the complete-game loss for Lewis. Jaszczak held the Norse to five hits, while striking out two.
Missed opportunities plagued Lewis. The team had the bases loaded with two outs in the first inning, but Crystal Bowen struck out looking to end the inning. In the fifth inning, Ktistou led off with a base hit and moved to third on a sacrifice and wild pitch. With one out and a runner on third, Kalynn Russell hit a soft liner to shortstop and Amy Yusko struck out looking.
The Flyers will play Grand Valley State, who advanced by eliminating West Virginia Wesleyan 3-2 in eight innings, at 10 a.m. Saturday. Lewis will need to win that game to force a rematch with the Norse in the regional championship game at 12:30 p.m.