ST. PAUL, Minn.- The University of Northwestern Softball team hosted Northland College in a doubleheader on Friday afternoon. A pair of Eagles hit their first career homeruns to lead the home team to a doubleheader sweep.
Game One
The Eagles jumped out to an early lead as
Briggs Carlson (North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West), who also got the start in the pitching circle, scored an unearned run on a ball put in play by
Jadyn Iverson (West Fargo, N.D./West Fargo). The second inning would go by scoreless before the Lumberjills made their first dent on the scoreboard by scoring two runs in the top half of the third inning, giving Northland their first lead of the day.
The bottom half of the third inning would provide one of the more memorable moments of the season so far. Freshman
Maggie Oehlerking (Farmington, Minn./Farmington) stepped up to the plate with her Eagles trailing 2-1 and the bases loaded. Oehlerking's at bat would end with the Eagles leading 5-2.
Oehlerking launched a no-doubter over the left field fence for a grand slam. The homerun marked the first of Oehlerking's career.
Briggs Carlson (North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West),
Telma Roesler (Hastings, Minn./Crown College), and
Kate Beer (Prior Lake, Minn./Prior Lake) all scored unearned runs thanks to advantageous baserunning in the fourth inning. The Eagles would add a single run in each of the fifth and sixth innings to finish the game after six innings. The Eagles won 10-2.
Briggs Carlson (North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West) turned in a strong pitching performance. The senior pitched a complete game and despite giving up a couple of runs early on, pitched a scoreless final three innings. Carlson ended up with a strikeout and only gave up two runs over the six innings.
Briggs Carlson (North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West),
Sydney Lane (Altoona, Iowa/Grand View Christian),
Kate Beer (Prior Lake, Minn./Prior Lake), and
Maggie Oehlerking (Farmington, Minn./Farmington) all led the Eagles with two hits apiece.
Game Two
The Eagles rode their strong offense from the first game into the finale as they jumped out to another early lead. In the first inning,
Telma Roesler (Hastings, Minn./Crown College) hit a groundball to second base that scored
Briggs Carlson (North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West).
Jadyn Iverson (West Fargo, N.D./West Fargo) would then a hit a fly ball to left field that would score
Sydney Lane (Altoona, Iowa/Grand View Christian).
In the second inning, the Eagles saw another memorable moment take place at Reynolds Field.
Mikayla Gee (Rochester, Minn./John Marshall) hit a ground ball to third base and legged it out for what appeared to be a routine infield single. However, what would happen next was far from routine. The throw from third base sailed over first base and Gee headed to second base. There was an attempt to throw out Gee at second base, but another throw was off the mark. The ball rolled into left field and Gee turned on the jets, sprinted to third base, rounded and headed for home. Gee would come around to score to give the Eagles a 3-0 lead.
Northland would cut into the Eagle lead with a two run homerun in the top half of the third inning. The Eagles would answer back with a homerun of their own in yet another memorable moment that took place this afternoon. Senior
Briggs Carlson (North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West) hit the first homerun of her career with a solo shot over the fence in left centerfield. The Eagles would add two more runs in the fifth inning as
Kate Beer (Prior Lake, Minn./Prior Lake) and
Reganne Henning (Beatrice, Neb./Beatrice) scored unearned runs.
The Eagles would end the game by scoring five runs in the sixth inning.
Briggs Carlson (North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West),
Jadyn Iverson (West Fargo, N.D./West Fargo), and
Kate Beer (Prior Lake, Minn./Prior Lake) all hit RBI singles.
Maggie Oehlerking (Farmington, Minn./Farmington) would take the last swing of the day by hitting a double to right center that scored two runs and ended the game. The Eagles won 11-3.
Emma Heffron (Altoona, Iowa/Grand View Christian) pitched a six inning complete game and gave up three runs. The freshman recorded a strikeout and only walked two batters in her strong pitching effort.
Up Next
The Eagles are back in action tomorrow with a doubleheader in New Ulm against Martin Luther. The games are scheduled for 1:00pm and 3:00pm.
