COLLEGEVILLE, MINN. – The University of Northwestern softball team started its 2019 campaign with a bang, knocking off the No. 17 ranked College of St. Benedict in one of two games played Friday night at the SJU Dome. After falling in a one-hit, 5-0 game one – the Eagles put together seven hits and three RBI's to record a 4-3 win to end the night.
The Eagles start the year with a 1-1 mark, earning Northwestern's first victory over the Bennies since 1987 despite matching up with the MIAC opponent 12 times since then.
GAME ONE: St. Ben's 5, UNW 0
St. Ben's got on the board early in game one, scoring two runs in the first propelled by four hits. Junior pitcher,
Abbie Nelson (Holdrege, Neb./Holdrege), put an end to the run – striking out CSB's number eight batter and leaving three runners stranded.
The next three innings were scoreless before the Blazers struck again, this time scoring a pair of runs in the fifth and one more in the sixth to seal the win.
The Eagles lone hit came from sophomore first baseman,
Ellie Ronning (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria Area).
Abbie Nelson (Holdrege, Neb./Holdrege) was credited with the loss after pitching six complete innings. Nelson gave up just three earned runs and walked two.
GAME TWO: UNW 5, St. Ben's 3
The Blazers appeared to pick up where they left off in game two, scoring in the bottom of the first to take a 1-0 lead off the bat.
This time the Eagles were quick to respond.
Courtney Schmidt (Spring Valley, Minn/Kingsland), the Eagles two slot batter, drew a walk. Schmidt stole second and eventually scored (unearned) on an infield error to tie it up at 1-1.
Northwestern took its first lead of the night in the top of the third when
Kayla Hannasch (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North) got things started with a one-out single. Hannasch stole second before sophomore
Kayla Madison (North Branch, Minn./Forest Lake) brought her in on an RBI single to give UNW the go-ahead run (2-1).
The next three innings featured back-and-forth lead changes as the game entered the seventh all tied up at three runs apiece. At bat in the top of seven, the Eagles executed perfect softball strategy to take the lead. Madison led off with a walk before Ronning grounded out to second to advance her.
Courtney Schmidt (Spring Valley, Minn/Kingsland) laid down a sacrifice bunt, advancing Madison to third. Freshman
Briggs Carlson (North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West) pulled through with a huge RBI double, giving UNW the 4-3 lead.
Despite giving up a leadoff hit in the bottom of the seventh, a crucial Northwestern defensive play put an end to the Blazers possible late run to secure the 4-3 victory.
Lexi Kopacek (Willmar, Minn./Willmar) pitched seven innings, allowed nine hits and three runs to earn the win. Two Eagles posted a pair of hits on the night.
Kayla Hannasch (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North) went 2-4 at the plate and scored two runs, while
Briggs Carlson (North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West) also connected on two hits enroute to her game-sealing RBI.
Northwestern will return to action on Saturday, March 2 when they take on Knox College in the Rochester Dome. First pitch is slated for 10 a.m.
Follow UNW softball online this season at
www.unweagles.com or on Instagram at @unwsoftball.
