ST. PAUL, Minn. – The University of Northwestern softball team welcomed UW-Stout to Reynolds Field for a pair of non-conference match-ups Monday afternoon. The Eagles recorded their ninth straight win in a 5-3 game one victory before the Blue Devils snapped the run, taking game two (8-0).
 
Northwestern finishes the regular season 23-15 overall as they prepare for the UMAC tournament – slated to begin Thursday, May 2. The no. 4 seeded Eagles will take on no. 5 Minnesota Morris at 10 a.m. in Mankato, Minn.
 
Game 1: Northwestern 5, UW-Stout 3
The Eagles were first to score in Monday's opener, tacking on two runs in the bottom of the second when Faith Forcier (Watkins, Minn./Eden Vallley-Watkins) connected on a two-RBI single to left field.
 
Faith Forcier (Watkins, Minn./Eden Vallley-Watkins) also drove in Northwestern's third run (which came in the fourth inning) when she laid down an RBI bunt single.
 
With a 3-0 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth, the Eagles added two more security runs. Kayla Hannasch (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North) doubled to left field to score Ciara Scheithauer (Rib Lake, Wis./Rib Lake) and Forcier laid down her second RBI bunt of the game to bring home Hannasch.
 
Despite the Blue Devil's seventh inning run (scoring three), the Eagles were able to put a stop to it – securing the 5-3 win.
 
Forcier led the way with a monstrous four-RBI performance – going 3-for-3 at the plate. Kayla Hannasch (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North) also recorded three hits in three at bats. Scheithauer added two hits in the contest.
 
Lexi Kopacek (Willmar, Minn./Willmar) pitched the complete seven innings, allowing just four hits and no earned runs enroute to her 11th win this season.
 
Game 2: UW-Stout 8, Northwester 0 (five innings)
The Blue Devils came ready for revenge in game two, putting together two big innings that UNW was unable to recover from. The navy and white scored eight runs in the third and fourth innings combined after a pair of homeruns and five hits handed them the definitive lead.
 
The Eagles stranded six runners on base, unable to get any across the plate. Mindy Forcier (Watkins, Minn./Eden Valley-Watkins) led the offensive effort, going 2-for-3 at the plate. Megan Aasness (Fergus Falls, Minn./Hillcrest Academy), Kayla Hannasch (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North) and Faith Forcier (Watkins, Minn./Eden Vallley-Watkins) added one hit in the game.
 
Abbie Nelson (Holdrege, Neb./Holdrege) started in the circle, throwing 2.1 innings before being relieved by Briggs Carlson (North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West). Carlson allowed just one earned run.
 
Follow the Eagles at the UMAC tournament by visiting the tournament page here. Or keep up with UNW softball online at www.unweagles.com.