CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Austin Peay State University's softball team will play its first games of March at Cheryl Holt Field, noon, Thursday, as it entertains Northern Kentucky in a doubleheader.

The Lady Govs (9-14) haven't played at home since a Feb. 28 doubleheader versus Trevecca, with two home twinbills (March 3 vs. Holly Cross) and (March 12 vs. Chattanooga) cancelled due to inclement weather.

The matchup versus the Norse (2-17) is the first softball matchup between the two schools and the first this season for Austin Peay versus an the Atlantic Sun Conference foe.

Northern Kentucky comes into the games 0-1 versus Ohio Valley Conference schools, dropping a 9-0 decision to Jacksonville State to open the season back, Feb. 7.

Offensively, senior Lauren de Castro leads the Lady Govs with a .379 batting average – including five doubles and two home runs.

Sophomore Mel Pavel is also hitting more than .300 after the season's first 23 games, coming in with a .308 average and a team-best 16 RBI.

The Norse also have a pair of players hitting more than .300, led by Katelyn Roy's .327 average and Dee Dee Davis at .321.

In the circle, de Castro tops the Lady Govs pitching staff with a 6-5 win-loss mark and a 4.13 ERA. She has also recorded 33 strikeouts in 59.1 innings of work this season.

For Northern Kentucky, Alyssa Enrique and Paige McQueen had one win each for the Norse this season, with Enrique coming in with a 1-2 record and McQueen 1-5.

--AP--