CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland State softball team dropped the series opener to Northern Kentucky, 4-2, on Friday afternoon at Viking Field.

CSU fell to 14-28 overall and 4-11 in the Horizon League, while NKU improved to 20-19 overall (7-10 HL).

Mackenzie Joecken pitched a complete game for the Vikings, allowing four runs - three earned - on six hits with four strikeouts. She also drove in both of CSU's runs with a two-run homer to centerfield.

The Norse took a 1-0 lead with an unearned run in the third inning, but the Vikings took a 2-1 lead on Joecken's home run in the fourth. However, the Norse came back to take the lead with three runs in the sixth and held on for the win.

Mel Woodard finished 2-for-3 with a run, while Joecken and Hanna Breeden had one hit each.

CSU closes the series against NKU on Saturday with a doubleheader slated to begin at 12:00 pm. It will be Senior Day with CSU's five seniors - Kristin Catalano, Kait Gairing, Joecken, Aubrie Tone and Woodard - being honored prior to the first game.