Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

MINNEAPOLIS – The Northwestern softball team was happy to get back out on the diamond at East Phillips Park on Tuesday after leaving the same field with a sour taste following a doubleheader sweep by the University of Minnesota Morris on Saturday. The Eagles redeemed themselves three days later, taking both games in an afternoon twin bill against North Central University.

Game 1 saw the Eagles win by way of the eight-run rule after five innings in a 12-1 final. UNW used a four-run second inning before scoring six runs in the third frame to account for the majority of Northwestern's scoring as the team added single runs in both the first and fourth frames. Kaia Larson (Ramsey, Minn./Meadow Creek) earned her fourth victory of the season, throwing all five innings while allowing just three hits and finishing the game without an earned run charged to her.

In the batter's box, four different Northwestern players posted multiple hits, including a three-hit performance from Jennifer Ankrom (New Hampton, Iowa/New Hampton) to go along with the freshman's three runs batted in. Ankrom's RBI hits came in the first and second innings, when a pair of singles did the job to score her teammates. Going 1-4 in the game, Kelsey Stoltman (Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View)'s lone hit came at the right time as the senior hit an RBI double that scored Kaylee Forcier (Watkins, Minn./Eden Valley Watkins) and Ashley Krantz (Andover, Minn./Andover) in the third frame.

While it didn't go in the books as an in-the-park home run, Emily Geurkink (Baldwin, Wis./Baldwin-Woodville) sparked more excitement in the Eagles' next at-bat, as her triple turned into a four-baser due to a defensive error by the Rams that allowed the freshman to come home after Stoltman had already scored on the play.

North Central's lone run of the game came in the fourth inning no Jamie High's double. UNW out-hit the Rams 12-3.

While Northwestern never trailed after the first inning of Tuesday's second game, things were certainly a little more exciting down the stretch in a final score that was separated by a mere two runs.

The Eagles found themselves down early as North Central put up three runs in the initial inning. Once UNW got to the plate on the offensive end, it was back to scoring runs as the Purple and Gold produced all 11 of its runs in the first three innings.

Forcier tied the game at three runs apiece with her home run in the second inning before an Ankrom double to left field brought in two more runs that frame. Then came a six-run spree in the third when Northwestern strung five hits together. Ankrom was good for another RBI double en route to a 3-4 game at the plate with four runs batted in. Stoltman finished 3-3 herself with three runs scored to go with an RBI.

Ann Lokke (St. Francis, Minn./St. Francis) went six innings in the pitcher's circle before Larson was back in the seventh to record a save, her first of the year. Six of the nine runs scored against Lokke were earned.

Now 10-15 overall (6-4 UMAC), Northwestern is off until Thursday when it begins two days of back-to-back league doubleheaders. The Eagles will face Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minn. for a 1 p.m. twin bill on Thursday before wrapping up the early weekend with an 11 a.m. doubleheader against Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minn.