SUPERIOR, Wisc.- The University of Northwestern Softball team squared off with Wisconsin-Superior in an elimination game between the top two seeds in the UMAC Postseason Tournament. The Eagles lost the low scoring game 3-1.
UNW jumped out to an early lead when
Briggs Carlson (North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West) hit a fly ball to left field. The ball was caught, and the speedy
Mikayla Gee (Rochester, Minn./John Marshall) was able to scamper home to give Carlson a run batted in. The Eagles were able to score in the first frame, but were unable to get another runner across the plate despite stringing some hits together.
The Yellowjackets, the number one seed and the tournament host, was able to answer the Eagles first inning run with one of their own. The Jackets would then score an unearned run in the third and would score thanks to a fielders' choice in the fifth inning. The Jackets won the game 3-1.
The Eagles were able to get their offense rolling despite not scoring many runs in the game. The Eagles ended the game with seven hits and had a baserunner on in every inning. The Eagles had a baserunner in the top of the seventh with the tying run at the plate, but a clutch double play turned by the Jackets' defense ended the threat.
Briggs Carlson (North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West) was very effective in her last UMAC tournament game. Carlson pitched six innings and only gave up two earned runs.
A pair of freshman led the way on offense for the Eagles in the game as
Mikayla Gee (Rochester, Minn./John Marshall) and
Megan Lundt (Frisco, Texas/Central Methodist) each had two hits.
Sydney Lane (Altoona, Iowa/Grand View Christian),
Jadyn Iverson (West Fargo, N.D./West Fargo), and
Hannah Woodworth (Panora, Iowa/Panorama) all had a hit as well.
The Eagles have been eliminated from the UMAC Postseason Tournament, but thanks to a strong regular season they have qualified for the National Christian College Athletic Association North Central Region Championship Series. The Eagles will play Hannibal-LaGrange University at Reynolds Field early next week. The dates for the games will be announced shortly and will be found on softball's schedule page on unweagles.com. The winner of that three game series will advance to the NCCAA National Tournament in Kansas City.
