EVANSVILLE, Ind.—For the first time since March 23, 2002, the University of Southern Indiana softball team was swept in a home doubleheader. The Screaming Eagles fell to #8 Northern Kentucky University, 3-1 and 2-0, in what was a battle for first place in the GLVC standings.

USI (20-17, 8-2 GLVC) gave up three runs in the first two innings of game one before coming back to score a run in the bottom of the seventh as it lost for the first time in 19 home games.

Sophomore pitcher Missy Grover (Mishawaka, Indiana) gave up all three runs off 12 hits as she was charged with her ninth loss of the season. Grover (9-9) struck out one batter and walked one batter in seven innings of work.

Senior first baseman Monica Tepe (Granger, Indiana) had an RBI double in the seventh inning to score freshman catcher/designated player Lisa Anderson (Chesterton, Indiana). Anderson was 2-of-3 with a double.

NKU sophomore pitcher Krystal Lewallen improved to a league-best 22-1 with the complete game victory.

In game two, USI fell behind 1-0 in the top of the first when NKU's Sara Becker hit a lazy ground ball up the middle with two outs to score centerfielder Stephanie Leimbach from second base. Leimbach scored again in the fifth inning to put the Norse up 2-0 when NKU first baseman Angie Lindeman hit a two-out double to left-centerfield.

USI senior pitcher/third baseman Shannon Emmons (Boonville, Indiana) was charged with her sixth loss of the season. Emmons (9-6) gave up the two runs off eight hits while striking out five batters. She also was 1-for-3 from the plate with a double in fourth inning.

NKU (38-2, 10-0 GLVC) benefited from a four-hit shutout by junior pitcher Emily Breitholle. Breitholle (10-1) struck out three USI batters while giving up just two walks.

The Eagles, which were shut out at home for the first time since a 1-0 set back to the University of Wisconsin-Parkside on April 14, 2001, will return to action Tuesday, April 13, to take on McKendree College in a 3 p.m. doubleheader at the USI Softball Field.