MANKATO, Minn. – The University of Northwestern softball team kept things interesting in Thursday's second round game. The Eagles, who defeated no. 5 Morris earlier in the day, matched up against tournament host Bethany Lutheran in game two. UNW jumped out to an early 4-0 lead, but the Vikings tied it up in the bottom of seven. A productive ninth inning led to Northwestern sealing a 7-4 win.
 
The tournament, which features double elimination play, will resume with a 12 p.m. Friday match-up between the two undefeated teams. The Eagles (25-15) are set to take on St. Scholastica (23-14). The winner will move on to Championship play scheduled for Saturday.
 
For tournament match-ups, scores and ticket information – visit the UMAC's tournament page HERE.
 
After a scoreless first inning, the Eagles put together four runs on three hits and a pair of Bethany Lutheran errors to take a 4-0 lead after just two complete. Ciara Scheithauer (Rib Lake, Wis./Rib Lake) got things going with a single to short and Faith Forcier (Watkins, Minn./Eden Vallley-Watkins) brought her home after laying down a perfect RBI bunt.
 
Mindy Forcier (Watkins, Minn./Eden Valley-Watkins) followed up with an RBI single before Kayla Madison (North Branch, Minn./Forest Lake)cranked a two-run bomb to give UNW the four run edge.
 
The Vikings came creeping back in front of their home crowd, scoring twice in the fifth and ultimately, evening the score at 4 apiece in the bottom of the seventh.
 
Following a scoreless eighth inning, Northwestern put together a dominant top of the ninth. Megan Aasness (Fergus Falls, Minn./Hillcrest Academy) led off with a double to center and was moved over on a sac bunt from Scheithauer. Kayla Hannasch (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North) gave the Eagles the go-ahead run when she connected on an RBI single to right field, but Northwestern didn't stop there. Mindy Forcier(Watkins, Minn./Eden Valley-Watkins) singled down the left field line and once again it was Kayla Madison (North Branch, Minn./Forest Lake)who came through with a huge two-RBI double – giving the Eagles a 7-4 advantage.
 
Behind Lexi Kopacek's (Willmar, Minn./Willmar) pitching, Northwestern shut down the Vikings in the bottom half of the inning to seal the second round win. Kopacek threw nine complete to record her 12th win this season.
 
Madison went 3-for-5 at the plate with four RBIs. Mindy Forcier (Watkins, Minn./Eden Valley-Watkins) and Kayla Hannasch (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North) tacked on two hits.
 
The Eagles will take on St. Scholastica at 12 p.m. on Friday in Mankato. Follow the game online HERE.