Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

ROSEMOUNT, Minn. – In a late-night softball doubleheader between the Northwestern College and the University of Minnesota Morris, the Cougars prevailed on Saturday, sweeping both games of the night. Due to field and weather conditions, both contests were played indoors in the Irish Sports Dome.
The first duel saw NWC tally one hit in the first inning, but either squad was unable to get momentum rolling until the bottom of the second when Sam Hanson sent a homer over the center field fence, giving the Cougars the first lead of the game. Before the inning was over, Morris would double its lead, 2-0 heading into the third inning.

Northwestern responded quickly, as Ali Witthus (Chanhassen, Minn./Southwest Christian) nailed a homer of her own, cutting the deficit in half. Kelsey Stoltman (Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View) singled to shortstop, but was left on base as the inning ended.

The Cougars kept rolling in the third, notching another run and increasing their lead to 3-1, an advantage that would stand the test of time. The Purple and Gold fought to stay in the contest, as Megan VanHulzen (Brooklyn Park, Minn./Park Center), Morgan Pfaff (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove), and Lauren Young (Shoreview, Minn./Concordia Academy) all tallied hits in the top of the final two innings, but it was not enough to even the score, giving Morris its first win of the night.

In the loss, Molly Johnsen (Floodwood, Minn./Floodwood) continued her success in the pitcher's circle, notching 10 strikeouts while walking two.

In the second round of play, Stoltman started things off quickly, advancing to first after sending a ball up the middle. The Eagles kept firing, but were unable to get someone home, leaving two players on base at the end of the inning.
The home team got on the board quickly in its first at-bat, taking the early 1-0 lead before NWC was able to get three stops. Play remained quiet for the next few innings, while Morris notched a score once again in the top of the fourth.  

The visiting team's first rally came in the top of the fifth, as Erin Kleinjan (Avon, Minn./Holdingford) sent a single to shortstop and advanced to second off of a Stoltman one-baser through the left side. Sigurdsen was next up, reaching on a bunt, before Briana Rodgers (Monticello, Minn./Monticello) picked up credit for a run batted in (RBI) after her push down the left field line, slicing the Cougars' advantage in half.

The next half inning saw UMM roll again, notching three runs off of three hits and one error, leaving the margin at 5-1, before the Eagles would make their largest run of the game in their next at-bat. After singles by both Young and Pfaff, Witthus reached on a Morris error, sending Young to home plate. Stoltman next made her presence felt again with a single down the right line, bringing in Pfaff before the end of the inning.

With Minnesota Morris leading 5-3, the Cougars once again picked up a run off two hits, securing what would be the final 6-3 margin. NWC was able to pressure the defense land two runners on base in the top of the seventh after singles from Young and Pfaff again, but the efforts came up just short as three outs were called.

The second contest saw both Stoltman and Pfaff go 3-4 from the plate, while Anna Schurch (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North) struck four batters out from the mound.

Northwestern (7-13 overall, 2-3 conference) is next scheduled to take the field on Wednesday, April 17 as it travels to North Central University for an Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) doubleheader. Updated information for all upcoming contests will be posted on nwceagles.com as it becomes available.