Northern Kentucky University Norse softball advanced to the Horizon League Championship Final after defeating Green Bay 4-3 in extra innings, according to a May 8 announcement. The game was played at the Covelli Sports Complex in Youngstown, Ohio, with Northern Kentucky earning a spot in Saturday’s championship.
The win secures Northern Kentucky’s place in the final for the third time in four years. The outcome was decided when senior Jena Rhoads hit a solo home run over center field in the eighth inning, marking her first home run of 2026 and giving the Norse their only lead of the game.
Both teams remained scoreless through three innings before Green Bay took an early lead. Northern Kentucky tied it up in the fourth when Rhoads tripled and scored on Brielle DiMemmo’s sacrifice fly. Green Bay regained control with a two-run double in the fifth inning, but Northern Kentucky responded by tying it again after Lexy Morris singled and Emma Ginn doubled. A ground ball from Morgan Heinecke led to two runs scoring due to an error by Green Bay’s catcher.
Alicia Flores started for Northern Kentucky, pitching over four innings and striking out three batters before being relieved by Makaree Chapman. Chapman allowed just one baserunner over nearly four innings and earned her eighth win of the season. Rhoads led offensively with two hits—including her decisive home run—while Chapman contributed two singles at bat.
Northern Kentucky will face either Robert Morris or Green Bay on Saturday at 1 p.m., needing one more victory to secure a Horizon League title. If they lose Saturday’s championship game, they will have another chance on Sunday.
