Softball drops games in split doubleheader

NWC-Northland Box Score
NWC-St. Scholastica Box Score

ST. PAUL -- Tuesday's split doubleheader didn't go as hoped for the Northwestern College softball team, as the Eagles lost to Northland College and the College of St. Scholastica in back-to-back games. Northland, who hosted the daylong event, beat NWC 9-1 before St. Scholastica outlasted the Eagles 7-0.

Against Northland, the Eagle pitchers couldn't figure out the LumberJills' bats fast enough as the home team scored seven of their nine runs in the first two innings. Kelsey Timm (Iowa Falls, Iowa/Iowa Falls-Aiden) (Iowa Falls, Iowa/Iowa Falls-Alden) was roughed up with six earned runs. Amanda Rodgers (Monticello, Minn./Monticello) (Monticello, Minn./Monticello) couldn't shut down Northland's bats either, as she gave up three runs in five innings.

The Eagles' lone run came in the second inning, when Jena Ruby (Long Prairie, Minn./Long Prairie-Grey Eagle) tripled to lead off the inning. Two batters later, Ruby scored on an RBI groundout by Jessie Lokken (Goodland, Minn./Nashwauk-Keewatin).

Single runs in the fourth and sixth innings put Northland over the top, breaking Northwestern's 10-game winning streak.

St. Scholastica, who stood atop the UMAC standings prior to game time, continued to give the Eagle defense fits. The Saints scored a pair of runs in the first inning, followed by two more runs in the third and fourth frames. NWC was only able to post two hits off of Shannen Schmidt. On the other hand, Northwestern's Ashley Olson (Baxter, Minn./Brainerd) (Baxter, Minn./Brainerd) yielded 13 hits from the pitcher's circle giving up five earned runs.

Northwestern ended the day at 17-14 overall and 10-5 in UMAC play. The Eagles will knock out four more conference games on Friday and Saturday at the annual crossover tournament, where they'll play four different teams. Friday's first game against Presentation College is scheduled for a 10 a.m. start in Duluth, Minn.

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