KENNESAW, Ga.—The University of Southern Indiana softball team surrendered three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning as it fell to No. 5-ranked Northern Kentucky University, 5-2, in a non-conference contest Saturday morning at the Owl Classic.

USI (0-3) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning when sophomore catcher Lisa Anderson (Chesterton, Indiana) roped an RBI double to leftfield, driving in sophomore utility player Audra Lindenschmidt (Evansville, Indiana). Lindenschmidt reached first base on a two-out single to start the Eagles scoring rally.

NKU (7-0) answered in the bottom of the third inning with a pair of runs to take a 2-1 lead, but the Screaming Eagles took advantage of an error in the top of the fifth inning to knot the game at two runs each.

The Norse started the bottom of the fifth inning by loading the bases with no outs. NKU first baseman Angie Lindeman singled through the middle of the infield to drive in the Norse's third and fourth runs of the game, while right-fielder Sarah King pushed across NKU's fifth run of the contest on a fielder's choice.

Junior hurler Lindsey McNaughton (Carmel, Indiana) was charged with her second loss of the season after giving up all five runs off nine hits. NKU's Sarah Newland picked up the victory, while Emily Breitholle recorded the save.

USI will play regional foe Wayne State University later this afternoon. First pitch is slated for two o'clock.