In the early game, the Lady Hornets softball team had all three phrases of the game working well together in handily defeating Northern Kentucky 8-2.
 
In the late game, ASU was two outs away from picking up a sweep against the Norse in Saturday's home doubleheader at the Barbara Williams Softball Complex, but it wasn't to be as Northern Kentucky rallied back for a 10-9 win in eight innings. 
 
But, ASU (6-18) found their stroke back at the plate by tallying a combined 17 runs and 25 hits on the day. 
 
The Lady Hornets were hurt by leaving runners on base. 

ASU left 14 runners on base in game one and then left eight more on base in game two. 
 
"Our offense was pretty decent with 17 runs in the two games," said ASU coach Chris Steiner-Wilcoxson. "We just didn't come through in the clutch at the end [of game two] and left the bases loaded too many times.  I was proud of our effort out of the game.  I thought Melissa [Christmann] pitched well.  I just think we have to do a better job of taking advantage of opportunities with runners in scoring position.  When we get ahead, we've got to finish the ball game.  We let too many things lingering instead of shutting the door."
 
In game one, starting pitcher Melissa Christmann (3-5) worked a solid six innings and allowed just two runs on four hits.  She struck out three and walked just one on 88 pitches. 
 
Maddie Phelps came in relief to work a scoreless seventh inning.
 
In game two, ASU held an 8-5 lead with one out in the top of the seventh when NKU strung together a hit by pitch, a walk, two singles and a sacrifice fly to knot the score at 8-8.
 
The Norse picked up two runs in the top of the eighth on a RBI double by Dani Devlin and capitalized on a fielding error to take a 10-8 lead.
 
The Lady Hornets inched closer on a fielder's choice off the bat of Valerie Centeno. 

With the ball hit to third, the NKU third baseman fielded and threw home, but the throw was late as Britney Wilson came in to score to make it 10-9. 
 
A strike out and a ground out ended the Lady Hornets' chance to taking game two though.  
 
Sophomore shortstop Laura Aguilar had another big performance from the leadoff spot as she batted a combined 6-for-10 with four stolen bases, five runs scored and two RBI. 
 
Aguilar was especially good in game one, going 4-for-5 with three stolen bases, three runs scored and a RBI. 
 
"Laura has done a good job all season," Steiner-Wilcoxson said. "She's consistent.  We needed an explosive bat in the one hole.  Val [Centeno] and Laura have done a good job at the top of the lineup.  And, I really felt like Kendall did a good job hitting the ball today too." 
 
Sophomore third baseman Kendall Core batted 5-for-8 on the day with a walk, two runs and two RBI.
 
Junior catcher Aleesa Yanez was 3-for-7 with a walk, run and a RBI. 
 
ASU will host Northern Kentucky once again for the final game of the home stand on Sunday at noon. 
 
Live stats can be followed at http://www.sidearmstats.com/alasu/softball/

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