Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

MINNEAPOLIS – One week after opening its 2013 campaign with a doubleheader split, the Northwestern College softball team did the same on the first day of the Augsburg College Auggie Dome Tournament Friday, defeating Wartburg College 5-0 before dropping a 4-7 contest.

In the first matchup of the day, the Eagles were able to capitalize on an early opponent error to get on the scoreboard before the top of the first inning had finished. NWC faced a two-out deficit in its first chance at the plate before Briana Rodgers (Monticello, Minn./Monticello) struck out but reached first after a catcher error. Lauren Young (Shoreview, Minn./Concordia Academy) was next up, and advanced Rodgers to second with a single to shortstop.

Kristin Sigurdsen (Barron, Wis./Barron) continued the rally after pounding a double, bringing in Rodgers for the first score the afternoon. The inning was not done yet, as Megan VanHulzen (Brooklyn Park, Minn./Park Center) cracked a double of her own, sending both Young and Sigurdsen home to give NWC a 3-0 margin before three outs had been totaled.

Play was quiet until the top of the third when Molly Johnsen (Floodwood, Minn./Floodwood) led the way with a bunt, closely followed by a Rodgers ground-rule double. As a result of a fielder's choice, SIgurdsen was the next Eagle to make it out of the batter box, picking up a run batted in (RBI) in the process as Johnsen rounded the bases to increase the Purple and Gold's buffer to 4-0.

The Northwestern pitching and defensive efforts continued to step up, prolonging the squad's shutout another Wartburg batting opportunity. Cue the high end of the fourth, and Schurch ripped a triple to the left side of the turf while Morgan Pfaff (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove) made her presence felt as the next Eagle in the lineup, sending bringing her teammate home with a single.

Play continued without either team posting a scoring run, providing NWC with its second win of the young season. Johnsen headlined the Snelling Avenue North squad performances, striking out 13 batters en route to her first shutout of the year. Eight different players notched a hit in the premier game, while VanHulzen and Pfaff eached totaled two of their own.

After a quick break, both teams hit the turf for the second contest of the day, but unfortunately for the Eagles, the roles reversed and Wartburg was up 3-0 before the first inning had come to a close. NWC responded with a hit down the left field line, but it was not enough to cut into the margin.

Fast forward one full inning and as the first Purple and Gold player in the box, VanHulzen hammered the first homer of her collegiate career to right center. The momentum continued with Erin Kleinjan (Avon, Minn./Holdingford) getting on first after a Knight hit pitch, while Pfaff joined her teammate in the base paths after a throwing error sent her running. Ali Witthus (Chanhassen, Minn./Southwest Christian) finished the rally, picking up credit for an RBI as Kleinjan got the Eagles their second tally on the board.

The next push came in the bottom half of the third as the score was evened at three courtesy of a Pfaff sacrifice fly that allowed Young to cross home plate. Before much time had elapsed Warburg once again had the upper hand after an NWC error turned into a 5-3 buffer for the Knights.

Northwestern kept pushing and yet again cut into the lead, as Rodgers drew a walk and snuck to second. Young was the next offensive player to win the pitcher-battle duel, walking to first, before VanHulzen continued her power performance and notched an RBI with a one-baser to right field.

Even amidst the continued Eagle pressure, Wartburg picked up two more runs in the top of the final inning, creating a deficit that stood the test of time, leaving the final score at 7-4.

With the loss, Northwestern currently holds an overall record of 2-2 heading into Saturday's matinee doubleheader against the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. First pitches at the Augsburg Dome are scheduled for 10 a.m. and 12 p.m