ST. PAUL – The University of Northwestern softball team locked up a spot in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Postseason Tournament with a sweep of the University of Minnesota-Morris Tuesday at Reynolds Field. In game one, junior Lauren Silbernick (Osakis, Minn./Osakis) hurled a one-hit shutout to lift the Eagles to a 4-0 victory. Northwestern completed the sweep with a 13-5 run-rule win in game two.

UNW moves its overall record to 17-19 and 11-3 in league play, while the Cougars fall to 8-24 overall and 6-6 in loop contests.

Game One
Backed by Lauren Silbernick (Osakis, Minn./Osakis)'s gem in the circle and Colleen Feldheim (Northfield, Ill./Loyola Academy)'s 3-for-3 performance at the plate, the Eagles picked up a 4-0 triumph in game one.

UNW got on the board early, as Ellen Larkin (Excelsior, Minn./Southwest Christian) ripped a single to right field to score Ann Lokke (St. Francis, Minn./St. Francis). Northwestern added a pair of runs in the third on an Ann Lokke (St. Francis, Minn./St. Francis) RBI double and Colleen Feldheim (Northfield, Ill./Loyola Academy)'s run-scoring single. The Eagles tacked on an insurance run in the top of the fourth when Mindy Forcier (Watkins, Minn./Eden Valley-Watkins) scored on Kaylee Forcier (Watkins, Minn./Eden Valley Watkins)'s RBI groundout. Lokke finished with a pair of hits at the plate.

Silbernick allowed just one hit in seven innings, as the junior right-hander secured her 10th win of the year in the circle.

Game Two
UNW picked up right where it left off, scoring eight runs in the first three innings before putting a four-spot on the board in the fifth. Jennifer Ankrom (New Hampton, Iowa/New Hampton) enforced the run-rule with her solo blast in the bottom of the sixth.

The Eagles didn't have any issues at the dish, as they posted 17 hits on the night. Megan Threlkeld (Burnsville, Minn./Burnsville), Emily Geurkink (Baldwin, Wis./Baldwin-Woodville) and Mindy Forcier (Watkins, Minn./Eden Valley-Watkins) led the way, as the trio all notched three hits, while Ann Lokke (St. Francis, Minn./St. Francis) scored three runs. Two of Threlkeld's knocks were doubles.

Megan Schroeder tossed the first four innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits.

The Eagles will welcome Hamline University for a non-conference doubleheader on Thursday. First pitch at Reynolds Field is slated for 4 p.m. Fans can find more information at www.unweagles.com.