ST. PAUL – The University of Northwestern softball team scored a combined 10 runs in the opening frame of its doubleheader with visiting Macalester College Friday at Reynolds Field en route to picking up a sweep of the Scots (6-12). The Eagles even their season record at 9-9 with the two wins.

Game One
The Eagles struck with six first-inning runs and never looked back, taking the opener 8-3. Ellie Ronning (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria Area ), Moriah Maunu (Glencoe, Minn./Glencoe-Silver Lake) and Mindy Forcier (Watkins, Minn./Eden Valley-Watkins) all delivered run-scoring singles in the inning to spark the offense.

Ronning finished the contest with three hits, while Courtney Schmidt (Spring Valley, Minn/Kingsland) and Maunu added two each. Mindy Forcier (Watkins, Minn./Eden Valley-Watkins), Schmidt and Maunu drove in two runs apiece.

Abbie Nelson (Holdrege, Neb./Holdrege) went the distance in the circle to pick up her fourth win on the year. She surrendered just four hits, while fanning five and not issuing a walk.

Game Two
Northwestern plated four runs in the first before adding four more over the course of the next three frames to earn an 8-4 win.

Courtney Schmidt (Spring Valley, Minn/Kingsland) again had a strong showing at the dish, finishing 3-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI. Ellie Ronning (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria Area ) and Mindy Forcier (Watkins, Minn./Eden Valley-Watkins) provided two hits apiece and Lexi Kopacek (Willmar, Minn./Willmar) drove in two runs to contribute to the offensive attack.

Kopacek was also the winning pitcher after the freshman hurled five innings. She allowed just two earned runs. Moriah Maunu (Glencoe, Minn./Glencoe-Silver Lake) tossed two innings of shutout ball in relief to shut the door on the Scots.

UNW will be back at Reynolds Field Tuesday for a doubleheader with Hamline University. Fans can find more information at unweagles.com and by following @unwsoftball on Twitter.