Box Score - Game 1
Box Score - Game 2

ST. PAUL (Apr. 8, 2008) – Playing on a bitterly cold afternoon for the second day in a row, the Northwestern College softball team swept a doubleheader over North Central University. The 11-2 and 10-0 wins bumped the Eagles to six wins in their last seven games and a 10-8 overall record (2-1 UMAC).

 

After a rough outing from the pitcher's circle to start Game 1, Northwestern got on track in the bottom of the second inning. Two, two-RBI singles by Amanda Rodgers (Monticello, Minn./Monticello) (Monticello, Minn./Monticello) and Jenna Ruby (Long Prairie, Minn./Long Prairie) (Long Prairie, Minn./Long Prairie) were part of a string of six hits for the Eagles, as they scored five runs in the frame to lead 6-2. 

NWC wasn't done yet though, as Alyssa Borgstrom (Amery, Wis./Amery) (Amery, Wis./Amery) and Ashley Weimer (Hill City, Minn./Hill City) (Hill City, Minn./Hill City) hit back-to-back doubles started a four-run third inning.

One more run in the fourth inning, along with four shutout innings of pitching by Rodgers sealed the deal as Northwestern claimed an 11-2 win in five innings.

Rodgers gave up two hits in five innings, surrendering two earned runs while striking out five.

 

Big innings was a continuing trend in the day's second game, as NWC kept the pressure on. After Kelsey Hanson (St. Francis, Minn./St. Francis) (St. Francis, Minn./St. Francis) struck out two of North Central's first three batters in the initial inning, Northwestern scored six runs in the bottom half of the frame. Rochelle Behne (Lowden, Iowa/Calamus Wheatland)'s (Lowden, Iowa/Calamus Wheatland) shot over the left field fence was the Eagles' first home run of the season, giving NWC plenty of momentum for the remainder of the game.

 

Northwestern added one more run in the second inning before finishing on a high note with three runs in the bottom of the fourth frame. After walking, Weimer scored on a Natalie Slagter (Prinsburg, Minn./Central Minnesota Christian) (Prinsburg, Minn./Central Minnesota Christian) bunt single. Two batters later, Rodgers doubled to center field again, bringing in Jenny Kortus (Milaca, Minn./Milaca) (Milaca, Minn./Milaca). Rodgers scored not long after on a Rubi single, as the Eagles won Game 2 10-0.

 

Hanson struck out six North Central batters in five innings of work. The junior gave up four hits in the shutout.

 

Offensively, Northwestern was led by Rodgers, who was a whopping 6-for-6 on the day. The sophomore added six RBI and three runs scored to her day's resume, boosting her batting average to .462. Slagter was close behind her teammate, going 5-for-7 with two RBI while crossing the plate four times. The senior is in a midst of 14-game hitting streak, dating back to March 8. 

 

The Eagles will hope to continue their current pace on Friday, when they make the longest trip on the UMAC schedule, taking on Minnesota-Morris at 3 p.m. Presentation College in Aberdeen, S.D. will await the Eagles on Saturday, as the two teams are slated for a 12 p.m. matinee.