With three years of Northern Kentucky University fast-pitch softball behind her, senior center fielder Joanna Doerner figured she would be teaching the underclassmen a thing or two this spring.

        She has seen winning records and losing efforts. She'd weathered five different positions. She'd been tested at the plate more times than she could count, and she had plenty of experiences to share.

        But when the freshmen class finally took the field, it was Doerner who started taking notes.

        “This is definitely the best year we've had since I've been here. I think a lot of it has to do with the recruits Coach (Kathy) Bown got this year,” Doerner said. “The freshmen are really stepping it up.”

        Anchored by 10 freshmen, the 24-6 Norse are enjoying their best start since 1989 and are second in the Great Lakes Valley Conference at 8-2.

        Fourth-year coach Bown, a former Fairfield High School varsity softball coach, is less concerned with the team's youth than the team's goals. The standards haven't changed: win, win often, and win the GLVC Tournament. An NCAA Division II Tournament expansion provides an added incentive to this season's GLVC champion — an automatic regional berth.

        The Norse also could strive for an at-large bid in May, but Bown suspects they won't be satisfied with less than first place. The expectations come, in part, from the rookies.

        “I've been pleasantly surprised,” Bown said. “However, I knew the freshmen coming in were very talented. Most of them basically carried their success over from high school. I think they push the upperclassmen.”

        Four to five freshmen start each game. Seven of the 10 graduated from Greater Cincinnati high schools, including Jesse Thomas from Scott; Allison Goodrich and Maggie Stath from Walnut Hills, and Carrie Higgins from Seton.

        Fairfield graduates Emily Breitholle, Kyla Chaney and Megan Owens have a storied history together, including a 2001 regional semifinal appearance. Catcher Owens, who plays behind junior starter Kristin Koors, has caught Breitholle's pitches since middle school.

        Breitholle, an all-state selection and all-city player as a high school senior, has dazzled in her college transition. The freshman pitcher is 13-2 with a 1.37 ERA, striking out 57 batters in 98 innings. Last week she pitched three shutouts in wins over Kentucky State, Campbellsville and Kentucky Wesleyan.

        Tuesday she was named the GLVC pitcher of the week, allowing one earned run in 28 innings with 20 strikeouts and four victories.

        “When I came in, I didn't know I was going to start as many games as this. But when it's my turn, my chance to pitch, I go out there and try to get the job done. That's the most important thing,” said Breitholle, who is two wins shy of tying NKU's single-season win record.

        Freshman infielder Angie Lindeman, the GLVC player of the week, leads the team and conference in hitting with a .463 average. She leads the Norse in hits (44), doubles (10) and RBI (29).

        Doerner, a Lakota product, is second, batting .391 with 36 hits, four doubles, four triples and 11 RBI. The upperclassmen are the backbone of the batting lineup, accounting for seven of the top 10 averages.

        Experience from Doerner and seniors Katie Garling and Krista Eldrige comes highly valued, but Doerner said it's tough not to appreciate the new players.

        “I'm curious to see what it's going to be like here in four years. I think things are only going to get better from here,” Doerner said.

        The Norse look to extend their nine-game winning streak Thursday at Findlay.

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