ST. BONIFACIUS, Minn. – The University of Northwestern softball team (4-16, 0-2) opened Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) play Wednesday at Crown College (6-16, 4-0). The Eagles came up short in the doubleheader, falling 6-0 in game one before being defeated 10-5 in game two.

Game One
The Storm scored three runs in the first and added three more in the sixth to earn the shutout.

Jennifer Ankrom (New Hampton, Iowa/New Hampton) delivered two of UNW's four hits at the plate, while Megan Threlkeld (Burnsville, Minn./Burnsville) and Colleen Feldheim (Northfield, Ill./Loyola Academy) added a base knock each.

Lauren Silbernick (Osakis, Minn./Osakis) hurled the first four innings, allowing three earned runs on four hits. Abbie Nelson (Holdrege, Neb./Holdrege) tossed the final two innings, surrendering one earned run.

Game Two
The Eagles took a commanding 4-0 lead in the top of the second, but Crown responded with six runs in the home half of the frame and tacked on three more in third to take the contest, 10-5.

Lead-off hitter Kaylee Forcier (Watkins, Minn./Eden Valley-Watkins) stole the show at the plate, as the senior centerfielder finished 4-for-5 with a RBI. Jennifer Ankrom (New Hampton, Iowa/New Hampton) contributed a pair of hits, as the Eagles pounded out 12 knocks as a team.

Moriah Maunu (Glencoe, Minn./Glencoe-Silver Lake) was tagged with the loss, as the freshman threw 2.2 innings, allowing just one earned run.

The Eagles will continue conference play with a doubleheader against North Central University Saturday at Reynolds Field. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. Fans can find more information at www.unweagles.com.