Highland Heights, Ky. – Rain forced the suspension of game two of a doubleheader with Youngstown State (13-39, 5-17 Horizon League) leading Northern Kentucky (22-24, 12-9), 5-1, in the top of the seventh inning on Friday afternoon at Frank Ignatius Grein Softball Field. The Penguins dropped the opener, 7-3.

In the opener, Northern Kentucky's Olivia Pasten hit a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the seventh inning to lift the Norse to the 7-3 victory.

Senior Elyssa Imler knotted the game at 1-1 with a sacrifice fly in the top of the third inning to answer the Norse's run in the bottom of the second. Lydia Wilkerson walked to lead off the frame and singles by Ayla Ray and Macy Littler loaded the bases for Imler.

Northern Kentucky tacked on two more in the bottom of the third, but the Penguins followed with two of their own to tie the game at 3-3 in the top of the fourth. Wilkerson reached on a fielder's choice and scored on Ray's triple to center field. Littler singled up the middle to plate Ray to knot the game.

Wilkerson, Ray, and Littler each had two hits for the Penguins.

The resumption of game two and the start of the series finale has yet to be determined.