MANKATO, Minn. – The University of Northwestern softball team took the field against Minnesota Morris in Thursday's UMAC Tournament first round game. After the Cougars tied it up at 1-1 through four innings played, UNW tacked on four major runs in the fifth to cruise to a 5-1 first round win. The Eagles are set to take on tournament host and no. 1 seeded, Bethany Lutheran, at 2 p.m. today.
 
For tournament match-ups, scores and ticket information – visit the UMAC's tournament page HERE.
 
The Eagles got off to a strong start Thursday morning, loading the bases up in the bottom half of the first. Courtney Schmidt (Spring Valley, Minn/Kingsland) drew a bases-loaded walk to bring in Kayla Madison (North Branch, Minn./Forest Lake) and give the Eagles an early 1-0 lead.

Morris tied it up in the bottom of the fourth on a UNW fielding error, but the tie was short lived. Northwestern put together four runs on five major hits in the bottom of the fifth to take the definitive lead. Three straight RBI doubles from Kayla Madison (North Branch, Minn./Forest Lake), Ellie Ronning (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria Area) and Courtney Schmidt (Spring Valley, Minn/Kingsland) was enough to boost the Eagles to the second round game, their hopes of a second straight UMAC tournament title still alive.
 
Abbie Nelson (Holdrege, Neb./Holdrege) pitched the complete seven-inning game. Nelson allowed just five hits and no earned runs to record her eighth win in the circle this season.
 
Madison and Ronning each recorded two hits in the game. Schmidt added a hit and two RBIs.
 
The Eagles will take on Bethany Lutheran at 2 p.m. in Mankato. Follow the game online HERE.