GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay softball team will open up Horizon League play with a three-game, home-opening series against Northern Kentucky this weekend. It marks the beginning of an eight-game homestand that lasts through the end of March.

SERIES INFORMATION
Games 19-21
Who: Northern Kentucky (8-15, 0-3 HL) vs. Green Bay (7-11, 0-0 HL)
When: Saturday, March 19 – Sunday, March 20, 2022
Where: King Park | Green Bay, Wis.
Watch: Game 1 | Game 2
Live Stats: Games 1-3
 
CURRENT LEAGUE STANDINGS
 
LAST TIME OUT
Green Bay competed in the UE Softball Invitational two weeks ago, which was held in Evansville, Ind. The Phoenix played five games total, dropping four of the five. On March 6, GB defeated Morehead State handily, 12-1. The Phoenix jumped out to an early 7-1 lead after two innings, capped by an Alicia Peters two-run blast over the right-field wall. Jadin Justman totaled a team-leading three RBIs and Brittany Baneck tossed all five innings, striking out four while giving up just one run.
 
SERIES HISTORY
The Phoenix and Norse have faced off 16 previous times since NKU joined the Horizon League in 2015, splitting the all-time series 8-8. The longest win streak either team has been on in the series is three. Saturday will mark the first time Green Bay has ever hosted Northern Kentucky on their own turf. Because of a COVID season last year, GB played all four games on the road against the Norse and split the four-game set.
 
SCOUTING REPORT
NKU snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 4-2 win over Western Illinois University on Tuesday, March 15. The win concluded a four-game homestand, in which the Norse were swept in a three-game series to Oakland before facing WIU. Kendyl McKeough is a tough out at the plate for NKU, boasting a team-leading .347 batting average and 1.141 OPS. The senior has crushed eight of NKU's 11 home runs and is one of just two Norse with 10 or more RBIs. Madison Eads holds the team's best ERA at 3.50, appearing in 18 of NKU's 24 games while starting eight. Eads has surrendered 30 earned runs through 60 innings worked. The Louisville, Ky. native has struck out 39 but has given a free pass to 27 batters.
 
AMAZING ALICIA
Alicia Peters, a graduate student transfer from Buffalo, is off to a great start this season. The Chico, California native has posted a 1.146 OPS through the first 18 games, by far the highest on the team (minimum six at-bats). She's chipped in with eight RBIs while walking eight times. Peters is responsible for four of GB's 15 homers. She transferred to GB prior to the 2022 season after playing with Buffalo in 2021 and 2020.
 
ROAD WARRIORS
Green Bay's 2022 schedule opened up with nine road games and nine neutral site games. So far, the Phoenix is 2-7 in road contests and 5-4 in neutral play.
 
PRESEASON #HLSB POLL
The Horizon League released the 2022 preseason poll on Feb. 10. Oakland is favorited to win the conference, while Green Bay is slated to finish fifth.
 
2022 #HLSB Preseason Poll
Pl.       Team – Pts. (First-place votes)
1.         Oakland – 82 (2)
2.         Youngstown State – 81 (5)
3.         UIC – 74 (2)
4.         RMU – 62
5.         Green Bay – 49
6.         Northern Kentucky – 39
7.         IUPUI – 32
8.         Detroit Mercy – 29
9.         Cleveland State – 25
10.       Purdue Fort Wayne – 22
 
FOLLOW THE PHOENIX
Fans are encouraged to follow Phoenix softball all season long. Select games will air live on ESPN+ and stream live in the ESPN app. Fans can also follow the action in real-time with live stats here. Be sure to check greenbayphoenix.com for additional information.
 
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