ST. PAUL, Minn.- The University of Northwestern Softball team opened up their 2024 UMAC slate on Tuesday night at Reynolds Field against North Central. The Eagles' contest against the Rams marked their home opener and to say the Eagles were happy to be back at Reynolds Field for the first time in 317 days would be a giant understatement. The Eagles scored in every inning and defeated North Central 30-1.
The tale of the Eagles' first two innings were very different. If a casual fan were to watch the first three at bats of the game for the Eagles, they would not have assumed that the team would go on to turn in one of the greatest offensive performances in program history. Two of the first three Eagles' batters were retired and it appeared as if UNW was going to go scoreless in the first frame. The home team would then go on a two out rally that would have softball and baseball coaches salivating around the country. The first inning ended with the Eagles leading 9-0; having scored all nine runs with two outs in the inning.
In the second inning, UNW's offensive onslaught continued, but the ladies did not wait for two outs this time. The first five batters in the inning reached base. After the first out was recorded, another seven consecutive Eagles reached base. The Eagles scored 13 runs in the inning and led 22-0 after two innings.
UNW added four runs apiece in the third and fourth innings to get to their grand total of 30 runs.
Tuesday's tilt wasn't just all about the offense for the Eagles. Starting pitcher
Emma Heffron (Altoona, Iowa/Grand View Christian) was tremendous in the circle as well. She pitched a complete game (five innings) and only gave up two hits, a walk, and a single run. She struck out six Ram batters.
UNW finished the game with 33 hits as a team. 18 Eagles had a hit in the contest. Nine Eagles had multiple hits. Northwestern had 12 extra base hits in the game (11 doubles and one triple).
Kate Beer (Prior Lake, Minn./Prior Lake) finished the game with statistics one might commonly see in a video game. She finished 4-4 at the plate with three runs scored and five runs batted in.
Megan Lundt (Frisco, Texas/Lone Star) was 4-5 with three RBIs and scored a run.
Gabrielle Keith's (Marble Rock, Iowa/Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock) favorite number must be three because she was 3-3 with three runs scored and three RBIs.
Grace Bentley (Omaha, Neb./Marian) also really likes the number three, just not quite as much as her teammate. She was 3-3 with three runs scored and one RBI.
The Eagles will finish their three game series with North Central at Reynolds Field this weekend. The games are currently scheduled for Saturday, March 23
rd but fans are encouraged to watch UNWEagles.com for schedule changes with potentially problematic weather looming later this week.
