Clermont, FL –– The University of Northwestern softball team (3-4) lost 3-1 against Westfield State University (1-1) on Monday afternoon. They were supposed to play a nightcap against Lake Forest College, but the contest was rained out.

The Eagles and Owls exchanged zeroes early in the contest as Briggs Carlson (North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West) consistently wiggled her way out of dangerous situations in the circle. The Owls had multiple runners reach base in every inning except the first, but Carlson only surrendered one earned run. Likewise, the Eagles had multiple base runners in four innings.

Northwestern threatened first in the bottom of the first. Carlson led off with a walk and the senior captain promptly stole both second and third. Jadyn Iverson (West Fargo, N.D./West Fargo) drew a two-out walk to put runners on the corners, but Westfield State escaped unscathed.

The Owls had the same situation, runners on the corners with two outs, in the next half-inning, and Carlson responded by getting a ground ball to end the threat. She was not as fortunate in the top of the fourth, though, as the Owls, from Westfield, Massachusetts, got on the board first. Two singles, two errors, and a walk combined to bring an unearned run across the dish.

Northwestern loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth as Grace Bentley (Omaha, Neb./Wheaton College) led off with a walk, Kate Beer (Prior Lake, Minn./Prior Lake) recorded a single to right, and Mikayla Gee (Rochester, Minn./John Marshall) drew the second walk of the inning. The Owls preserved the lead and added on in the top half of the fifth. A one-out double followed by a single extended the lead to 2-0.

Northwestern clawed back in the bottom of the sixth as Megan Lundt (Frisco, Texas/Central Methodist) reached on an error with one out. Kate Beer (Prior Lake, Minn./Prior Lake) recorded a two-out RBI single, and Gee followed with a base knock to put runners on first and second. Northwestern was unable to cash in on the opportunity, and once again, Westfield State took advantage by adding an unearned insurance run to make it 3-1.

The Eagles did not go quietly in the seventh, as Telma Roesler (Hastings, Minn./Crown College) drew a one-out walk. Back-to-back fielder's choices that did not result in an out loaded the bases for Northwestern. The Owls escaped again with a force out at the plate and then a groundout to end the game.

Both pitchers performed Houdini acts throughout the game, as Westfield State had 16 base runners reach base, only three scored, while the Eagles reached base 13 times and only scored once. Carlson threw a complete game and only allowed one earned run while striking out seven.

Kate Beer (Prior Lake, Minn./Prior Lake) recorded two hits for the Eagles and the lone RBI for the squad. Mikayla Gee (Rochester, Minn./John Marshall) also reached twice thanks to a hit and a walk.

Up Next

The Eagles continue their Florida trip with two more contests on Tuesday morning. They square off against Penn State Behrend at 9:00 am (EST) with a second game to follow against Monmouth College, with first pitch scheduled for 11:15 am (EST).

Follow Northwestern softball online at www.unweagles.com or on Instagram @unwsoftball.