Ashland, Wisc. –– The University of Northwestern softball team (15-21, 10-6 UMAC) clinched the number three seed in the UMAC tournament with a split at Northland College (17-17, 9-7 UMAC). The Eagles won game one 7-4 and lost game two 8-0 (F/5).
Game One
The stakes were high for both teams as Northwestern came in with an opportunity to be the third or fourth seed in the UMAC tournament. The Eagles needed at least a split to take the third seed. The stakes were even higher for Northland. They needed a split to make the tournament as the fourth seed, and a sweep would have placed them in third.
As a result, the Lumberjills came out swinging to start game one. They recorded single runs in both the first and second innings, but Northwestern responded in a big way in the top of the third. Briggs Carlson (North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West) hit a two-out single back up the middle before Courtney Schmidt (Spring Valley, Minn/Kingsland) reached on an error. Ellie Ronning (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria Area) followed with her record-setting 51st double, which gives her the most career doubles in UNW school history, but, more importantly, it tied the game at two. Telma Roesler (Hastings, Minn./Crown College) traded places with Ronning, and Northwestern had its first lead of the day.
Northland tied it up in the bottom half of the frame, and the score held up until the top of the sixth. Ronning led off with an infield single, which tied her for the most hits in a single season at 62. Roesler then drove a single to the outfield, and Ronning scampered home after Northland overthrew third to give Northwestern the lead. Shelby Stoll (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo) followed with an RBI single to drive in Roesler, who had moved to third on her hit. Hannah Woodworth (Panora, Iowa/Panorama) scored to extend the lead to three after Kayla Hannasch (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North) was caught in a rundown, allowing the sophomore to bring the sixth run of the day across the plate.
In the seventh, Northwestern added an insurance run after Ronning drew a two-out walk. Roesler recorded another RBI double, and Northwestern went into the bottom of the seventh up four. Northland got one run back and had the tying run at the plate, but the Eagles escaped the jam.
Diana Boyce (Phoenix, Ariz./Park City) got the start in the circle, and she kept Northland off-balance in five strong innings. She gave up one earned run in one of her better starts of the season. Samantha Burkhart (Salix, Iowa/Westwood) came in and recorded her first collegiate save.
Roesler led the offense with her three hits and two RBIs. Ronning had two hits, two RBIs, and three runs scored.
Game Two
Northwestern's offense sputtered in game two as they were only able to manage three hits. Their biggest threat was in the fourth after Shelby Stoll (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo) reached on a fielder's choice and was left stranded on third in a 1-0 ball game. Northland followed with five in the bottom half of the frame and ended it with two more in the fifth.
Carlson, Schmidt, and Roesler had the three hits for the Eagles. Carlson also got the start in the circle and will look to bounce back in the conference tournament.
Up Next
Northwestern wrapped up its regular season with a 10-6 conference record, which earned them the number three seed in the UMAC tournament. The tournament starts on Thursday at St. Scholastica, and Northwestern will take on the No. 2 seed, Bethany Lutheran. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 pm on Thursday, May 13th.
Northwestern comes into the tournament as the two-time defending champs. In 2019, they won the tournament as the No. 4 seed and knocked off Bethany Lutheran twice on their way to the title. In 2018, they traveled to Duluth as the number three seed and beat St. Scholastica twice to win the title. This team is no stranger to these moments, and these seniors will look to replicate the magic they put together in both their freshman and sophomore years.
Follow Northwestern softball online at www.unweagles.com or on Instagram @unwsoftball.
