ST. PAUL — The University of Northwestern softball team split another conference doubleheader Saturday afternoon, with final scores of 3-1 and 5-4 against Martin Luther College.
GAME 1: UNW 1, MLC 3Northwestern put the first run on the board in the bottom of the first. Threlkeld's single was followed by Forcier's sacrifice bunt. Ankrom rose to the challenge with a double down the left field line, scoring in Threlkeld from second. With three scoreless innings, Martin Luther took off in the top of the fifth with three runs. With a home run to left field, the Knights scored three instant runs. Unfortunately, the Eagles couldn't find a run in the next two innings, falling in game one.
GAME 2: UNW 5, MLC 4Brahan singled up the middle in the second inning, followed by Guerkink reaching first on a fielder's choice. Brahan was thrown out at second base, but Geurkink scored an unearned run due to a fielding error. Northwestern made another offensive run in the fourth. Brahan reached second due to fielding errors. Feldheim singled, advancing Brahan into scoring position. Geurkink was then hit by a hit, loading the bases for the Eagles. With no outs yet, Guetter singled to right center, scoring two runners in. The Purple and Gold loaded the bases but fell short, moving into the fifth inning ahead 3-0.
MLC made their first run in the sixth. With bases loaded, Martin Luther scored on a fielder's choice. Northwestern held them off for the remainder of the inning and continued to score in the next inning, adding an offensive cushion. Klingbeil and Threlkeld singled, followed by a walk by Forcier. Ankrom tallied a sacrifice fly as Klingbeil ran home. Forcier and Threlkeld advanced due to a passed ball, as the Eagles scored an unearned run to put the score at 5-1.
The visitors ended the game strong, with three additional runs in the seventh, but it wasn't quite enough to take the lead from the Eagles as the home team secured the 5-4 victory.
Northwestern will play a single game against the College of St. Scholastica Tuesday at 11 a.m. and a game versus Northland College at 1 p.m., with both games hosted by North Central University at a neutral site.
