ST. PAUL (Apr. 19, 2008) – The Northwestern College softball team wrapped up an impressive four days that included eight games – seven of which went in the books as a “W.” Saturday's doubleheader versus Bethany Lutheran put the icing on the cake, as the Eagles took both games in 11-3, 11-3 fashion.

 

Both wins were come-from-behind victories for Northwestern, who belted three home runs on the day. Jenny Kortus (Milaca, Minn./Milaca) (Milaca, Minn./Milaca) hit Nos. 1 and 2 on the season.

After the Vikings scored two runs in the top of the first inning in Game 1, NWC's Ashley Weimer (Hill City, Minn./Hill City) (Hill City, Minn./Hill City) scored after hitting a triple to right field.

Bethany Lutheran added another run in the second inning, but it would be all Northwestern after that, as the Eagles scored 10 unanswered runs – including seven in the bottom of the sixth inning to end the game.

Kortus' first bomb came in NWC's leadoff at-bat of the fifth inning, and there was no question as to if it had enough distance. Lauren August (Maple Plain, Minn./West Lutheran) (Maple Plain, Minn./West Lutheran) singled up the middle two batters later, scoring Rochelle Behne (Lowden, Iowa/Calamus Wheatland) (Lowden, Iowa/Calamus Wheatland).

Alyssa Borgstrom (Amery, Wis./Amery)'s (Amery, Wis./Amery) triple to start the sixth inning started a slew of hits that turned into an 11-3 win. Weimer, Kortus, August, Jessie Lokken (Goodland, Minn./Nashwauk-Keewatin) and Kelsey Hanson (St. Francis, Minn./St. Francis) (St. Francis, Minn./St. Francis) all recorded RBIs in a frame that included seven runs on seven hits.

Hanson pitched all six innings for Northwestern, yielding two earned runs on four hits while striking out six.

Game 2 was almost a mirror image of the first contest, as a seven-run inning was once again a part of Northwestern's comeback en route to the 11-3 victory. After the Vikings scored a run in the top of the first inning, Kortus doubled to right-center, scoring Weimer for the Eagles' first run of the game. Amanda Rodgers (Monticello, Minn./Monticello) (Monticello, Minn./Monticello) scored Kortus in the Eagles ensuing at-bat, giving NWC a 2-1 lead after one inning of play.

 

Bethany (5-15, 5-6 UMAC) and Northwestern traded runs in the second and third innings before the Eagles' big inning came in the fourth. Behne hit her second homerun of the year to spark NWC, who had another seven-hit, seven-run frame. After Northwestern hit through their lineup, Behne saw the batter's box again in the same inning. The senior singled down the left field line, tallying two more RBI in the process.

Jewel Johnston (San Luis Obispo. Calif./San Luis Obispo)'s (San Luis Obispo. Calif./San Luis Obispo) RBI single in the sixth inning sealed the deal for NWC, as Kortus scored to give the Eagles their second 11-3 win of the day.

Rodgers was Head Coach Tracy Cromer's go-to in the second game, pitching all six innings. She gave up one earned run while striking out five.

Rodgers came up just as big at the plate, going a combined 6-for-7 with two RBI and four runs scored. After going 4-for-4 in the first game, August finished 5-for-8 on the day with two RBI.

Northwestern (17-9, 9-2 UMAC) will get a short break before playing two crucial games on Tuesday, Apr. 22. The Eagles will travel to Duluth, Minn. to face UMAC opponents St. Scholastica and Northland in two games that could decide the regular-season conference championship. The Saints from St. Scholastica will get NWC first at 3 p.m., followed by Northland at 5 p.m.