EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.—The No. 24-ranked University of Southern Indiana softball team was just one strike away from advancing to the championship round of the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Region Tournament, but Northern Kentucky University catcher Jenny Weiss singled to score two runs and give the Norse an 8-7 lead and the momentum they needed to pick up an 11-8 win.

Weiss's two-run single was part of a seven-run seventh inning for the Norse as they defeated the Screaming Eagles for the third straight time and won for the ninth straight time in NCAA II regional play.

USI (39-17) took advantage of an NCAA record 11 errors to build a 7-4 lead. Sophomore third baseman Kristin Eickholt's (Van Wert, Ohio) two-run single gave the Eagles the 7-4 lead in the sixth after USI scored three runs in the bottom of the third and two runs in the bottom of the fourth.

The Norse (41-19), however, bounced back with two runs in each of the fourth and sixth innings to keep with in striking distance.

NKU (41-19) designated player Shatona Campbell led NKU in the early going with a two-run triple and two-run home run. She drew an intentional walk in the seventh inning to set up Weiss's two-run single.

The Eagles led the bottom of the seventh inning off with a solo home run off the bat of junior first baseman Jennifer Mullikin (Greenwood, Indiana). USI had the tying run come to the plate later in the inning, but back-to-back outs ended the game.

Senior pitcher Missy Grover (Mishawaka, Indiana) was charged with the loss. Grover (22-7) gave up eight runs off nine hits in 6 2/3 innings of work.

The Eagles play No. 4-ranked Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Sunday in the elimination bracket. First pitch is slated for Noon. The winner plays NKU at 2:30 p.m. with the hopes of pushing the tournament to a deciding game, which is slated for Monday at 1 p.m.