CLERMONT, FLA --  The University of Northwestern softball team battled hard in Saturday play at the 2020 Spring Games, but came up one run short in a set of tough losses. The Eagles held the lead in both games, but would fall to SMU and Dominican after seven innings of action.
 
The Eagles move to 2-8 on the year as they continue to hunt for a win in Florida with six games remaining at this year's Spring Games. Action will resume on Monday against Wisconsin Lutheran College at 9 a.m.  
 
Rookie Cherramae Erickson (Foreston, Minn./Milaca) led UNW at the plate on the day, going 2-for-4 with a double, a walk and two stolen bases.  
 
Saint Mary's (Minn.) 4, Northwestern 3
Two Minnesota squads met up in Florida for Saturday's opener as the Cardinals of Saint Mary's put together a monstrous 15 hits to squeak out a 4-3 win.
 
SMU was first to score, putting one run on the board in the first and another in the bottom of three to take a 2-0 lead. The Eagles battled back, scoring one run in the top of the fourth when Ellie Ronning (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria Area) led off with a single up the middle. Courtney Schmidt (Spring Valley, Minn/Kingsland) executed a perfect bunt (for a hit) and Kayla Hannasch (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North) advanced the pair on a sacrifice. Bridgette Kollos (Mapleton, Minn./Maple River) would hit a hard grounder to short to bring in Northwestern's first run.
 
The Eagles tied it up in the fifth when Cherramae Erickson (Foreston, Minn./Milaca) led off with a single, was advanced by Shelby Stoll (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo) and scored on an SMU throwing error. Northwestern took the lead in the top of six after Hannasch led off with a single. UNW executed their third straight sacrifice bunt (this time by Bridgette Kollos (Mapleton, Minn./Maple River)) to put Hannasch in scoring position. Hannah Woodworth (Panora, Iowa/Panorama) roped an RBI single through the right side to give Northwestern the 3-2 edge.
 
Despite the thrilling comeback, the Cardinals would put together three hits in the bottom of the seventh – ultimately sealing the win on an RBI foul ball sacrifice fly to left field.
 
The Eagles would record seven hits to SMU's 15 and stranded eight runners on base.
 
Lexi Kopacek (Willmar, Minn./Willmar) pitched a solid game in the circle, striking out three and walking one.
 
Dominican 5, Northwestern 4
Things were looking up for the Eagles when they jumped out to a 4-0 lead over the Stars after four complete.
 
UNW had their most productive inning of the week in the bottom of the first when they put together three runs on three hits. Dominican would quickly change the momentum, out-matching the Eagles big inning with a five-run inning of their own. Five Dominican hits and a series of wild pitches and passed balls would strip UNW's lead for good.
 
Shelby Stoll (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo), Kayla Hannasch (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North), Ellie Ronning (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria Area), Briggs Carlson (North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West) and Kendra Hardy (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria Area) would each record a hit in the contest.
 
Carlson started on the bump, throwing 4.1 innings before Kopacek entered for 2.2 innings of relief.
 
Northwestern will be back at on Monday when they take on Wisconsin Lutheran and Bridgewater State. Both games will be held at Legends Way Ballfields.
 
Follow Northwestern softball all season long on www.unweagles.com. All spring games will be available to follow on live stats HERE. Keep up with the team on social at @unwsoftball on Twitter and Instagram.