Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 ST. PAUL – The University of Northwestern steals two close games from Bethany Lutheran College Friday night at Reynolds Field. Lauren Silbernick (Osakis, Minn./Osakis) and Ann Lokke (St. Francis, Minn./St. Francis) both claim wins for the Eagles.

GAME 1: UNW 2, BLC 1

Both teams remained scoreless in first four innings. The Eagles left Ann Lokke (St. Francis, Minn./St. Francis) on second with three outs in the bottom of the second, a prime opportunity missed. Kaylee Forcier (Watkins, Minn./Eden Valley Watkins) made a diving catch to put two outs on the board in the top of the third inning. With one runner on second, a Vikings left line drive advanced the runner to third with the batter on first. The Eagles stopped them before a run as Guerkink caught a pop up to right field.

With a double play made by Threlkeld to Feldhelm, Northwestern moved into the bottom of the fourth. Forcier walked followed by Ankrom's single up the middle. Lokke executed a sacrifice bunt, advancing both runners into scoring position with one out on the board. Brahan walked, loading the bases with Guerkink striking out at bat. Feldheim hoped to assist the three runners, but flied out to left field.

Ellen Larkin (Excelsior, Minn./Southwest Christian) put the first out on the board with a diving catch off a bunt attempt from Bethany Lutheran. The Vikings' double scored the first run of the game. UNW ended the inning with two runners on base, going into the bottom of the fifth.

Silbernick singled up the middle, starting strong for the Purple and Gold. Guetter capitalized on a sacrifice bunt, and with two outs on the board, Forcier walked. Ankrom earned her first RBI of the game as pinch runner Kellie Pederson ran home. Lokke caught the hitting bug, as she scored in Forcier with a single to the right line. With two outs, Ankrom was in scoring positions as Brahan was at the plate but struck out for the Eagles.

Silbernick held her own as the home team tallied three consecutive outs, but the Eagles followed their lead with three outs in the bottom of the sixth. With no runs in the seventh, the Eagles claimed the 2-1 victory in game one.
 
GAME 2: UNW 4, BLC 3

It didn't take long for Bethany to put a run on the board. With one out in the first, the Vikings led 1-0. Fortunately the Purple and Gold halted their momentum, going into the second with only one run allowed.

With two more runs in the third, Bethany gained a 3-0 lead. Two innings later, the Eagles made slow strides to take the lead adding a run in the bottom of the fifth. Guerkink singled to left center, scoring in Pederson from second. With momentum building, the home team scored again due to Ankrom's double, eventually scoring because of Brahan's double to follow. With what seemed to be the longest inning of the game, Northwestern rose to the challenge. Guerkink scored to tie the game 3-3 thanks to a fielder's choice. Ankrom sealed the deal for the Eagles, scoring in Guetter off a single to center field.

Ann Lokke (St. Francis, Minn./St. Francis) went home with the "W" and the Eagles improved to 9-5 in Upper Midwest Athletic Conference play.

Northwestern will see Martin Luther College tomorrow afternoon for a doubleheader at Reynolds Field at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.