HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. (3-13-26) - Sophomore Wendy Ketola hit her second home run of the season as Detroit Mercy opened play at the NKU Tournament with a 6-2 setback to Northern Iowa, followed by an 11-2 loss to Big Ten foe Northwestern on Friday afternoon at Frank Ignatius Grein Softball Field.

Freshman Jenna Higgins, junior Jada Davis, and senior Trinity Fessler each recorded a hit while freshman Hannah Schlachter had an RBI single against UNI.

Ketola's two-run homer and sophomore Madeline Hallman's hit came against the Wildcats in game two.

Northern Iowa Recap:
• The game was an old-fashioned pitcher's duel through the first four innings, with each team only having two hits.
• UNI broke through in the bottom of the fourth inning with a bases-loaded hit by pitch, followed by a fielder's choice, and a grand slam home run to move ahead 6-0.
• UDM got on the board in the sixth inning off Schlachter's RBI single to score Davis. Fessler also scored on a strikeout as the Titans trailed 6-2.
• UDM couldn't inch any closer as they were retired in order in the seventh.

Northwestern Recap:
• The Wildcats took an 8-0 lead with four runs in the first inning and four more in the second inning.
• Ketola's two-run shot in the bottom of the second was the Titans' first hit of the game. Hallman followed with a single but was left stranded.
• NU added three more runs in the third inning and held the Titans without another hit over the final three innings.

The Titans close out tournament play with a second game against Northwestern on Saturday, March 14, at 10 a.m.