NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The University of Northwestern softball team opened its season with a twin bill against Carleton College Friday night inside the Dundas Dome. The Eagles lost the opener 10-2 before falling in the nightcap, 5-2.

Game One
UNW didn't waste any time getting on the scoreboard, as Megan Threlkeld (Burnsville, Minn./Burnsville) rounded the bases in the top of the first to give the Eagles an early advantage. The Knights answered with four runs in the home half of the frame and tacked on six more to earn the run-rule victory. UNW got its second run of the game in the fourth when Kaylee Forcier (Watkins, Minn./Eden Valley-Watkins) scored.

Ellen Larkin (Excelsior, Minn./Southwest Christian) started off her senior year in style, going 2-for-3 at the dish, while Jennifer Ankrom (New Hampton, Iowa/New Hampton) added a base knock. Lauren Silbernick (Osakis, Minn./Osakis) suffered the loss in the circle, tossing the first four innings.

Game Two
After Carleton built a 5-0 lead, UNW chipped away at the deficit in the top of the sixth, scoring a pair of runs, but it wasn't enough as the Eagles fell victim to the Knights, 5-2.

Larkin continued her strong day at the plate, belting a run-scoring double in the sixth, before coming around to score thanks to an Ann Locke fielders choice. Megan Threlkeld (Burnsville, Minn./Burnsville) had a big game, going 3-for-4 with a run scored, while Jennifer Ankrom (New Hampton, Iowa/New Hampton) added a pair of hits.

Abbie Nelson (Holdrege, Neb./Holdrege) was tagged with the loss after going the distance in the circle.

UNW will next be in action when they travel to Florida for the annual Spring Break trip. A full schedule of games in the Sunshine State can be found at www.unweagles.com.