MAPLE GROVE, Minn. - In another impressive showing of their offensive prowess, the University of Northwestern Softball team completed the sweep of the North Central Rams, as they scored a total of 40 runs over the double header on Saturday afternoon.
GAME 1
Mikayla Gee (Rochester, Minn./John Marshall) got the Eagles started in the first game as she bunted to get on base. She rounded the bases after another bunt from Hannah Storey (Big Lake, Minn./Monticello) forced an error. Storey made it to third, and Gee scored to take the early lead. Sacrificially, Schoper grounded out, but allowed Storey to score. Jadyn Iverson (West Fargo, N.D./West Fargo), Bryn Anderson (Hutchinson, Minn./Hutchinson), Sydney Lane (Altoona, Iowa/Grand View Christian), and Kate Trump (Faribault, Minn/Bethlehem Academy) all singled during their at-bats to drive home three more runs. The final run of the inning was scored by Kate Trump (Faribault, Minn/Bethlehem Academy), who made it home after a single from Gee turned into an error and RBI.
In the second inning, Northwestern scored two more runs. Schoper scored after Lane hit a single and made it on base with a fielder's choice. Trump brought Lane home with a single, after Lane stole second to get into scoring position. The third inning brought much of the same offensive effort as UNW recorded six more runs to go up 14-0. Iverson and Lane each notched an RBI, while the other runs were scored on errors.
Staying on pace, Northwestern scored three more runs before the completed run-rule. Allison Terry (Blaine, Minn./Blaine), after finishing her basketball season just yesterday, singled and went base to base on a single from Ella Priola (Monticello, Minn./Monticello) and a hit-by-pitch for Emma Edwards (Ham Lake, Minn./Blaine). Terry crossed home plate after a sacrifice fly from her roommate, Jenna Nusbaum (Blaine, Minn./Spring Lake Park). Priola then stole home and Edwards scored from a single hit by Trista Oberle (Hudson, Wisc./Homeschool).
Sealing the UNW win, Maddie Bottineau (Andover, Minn./Andover) went the length as she pitched five solid innings, in which she struck out nine batters. Bottineau gave up just three hits and one run, while also only walking one batter. Gee and Iverson were perfect from the plate, making contact on all three at-bats. Iverson continued her run of doubles as she notched another one with one RBI. Bottineau also connected for a double while driving home three runners. The game finished 17-1 before they prepared for the second game of the double header.
GAME 2
Yearning for another win, the Eagles got off to a hot start as they scored all their runs in the first, second, and fourth innings, winning the game 23-1. Terry broke open the scoring after batting a double, stealing third base, and running home on a double from Gee. An error allowed Storey to get on base and moved Gee to third. Storey stole second before Schoper grounded out to bring Gee to home plate. Iverson launched a triple to bring Storey and the third run of the game home. Lane singled to bring Iverson in, then stole second. Riley Summers (Fontana, Wis./Big Foot) bombed a triple to the left side, which scored Lane. The final run of the inning came with the help of Briar Armatoski (Amherst, Wis./Pacelli Catholic), who grounded out and allowed Summers to score the sixth and final run of the inning.
After making it through the batting lineup in the first inning, Terry led off and scored an unearned run after making it to third on a bunt and an error. She then crossed home plate on a passed ball before Gee made it on base by getting walked. Storey and Schoper singled, which brought Gee home. Iverson walked and loaded the bases. A single from Lane, a walk for Summers, and an Armatoski double scored four runs to make the score 12-0. Kate Beer (Prior Lake, Minn./Prior Lake) singled to round up the full line-up before one out. Beer's single brought Summers home and five more RBI in the inning closed the second at 18-0.
Leaving two runners on base in the third, UNW got back to work in the fourth inning, as they scored five runs. The Eagles were able to sub a few new batters into the game, as a double from Trump and Nusbaum opened the inning. The Rams walked both Summers and Beer, while Armatoski, Reganne Henning (Beatrice, Neb./Beatrice), Lexi Gonzalez (Oswego, Ill./Oswego East), and Trump singled before the end of the inning. Up 22 by the end of the fifth inning, the game came to an early end.
Leading the Northwestern defense, Ireland Strubbe (Chandler, Ariz./Valley Christian) pitched all five innings and only allowed two hits and one run, while striking out nine of the 19 batters she faced. On the offensive end, Armatoski led the team with four total RBI on two hits. Terry, Iverson, Henning, and Trump were all perfect from the plate. Terry went 3-3 while the others went 2-2.
Sweeping the series this weekend, UNW now sits atop the UMAC with a 3-0 conference start and an overall record of 14-7. The Eagles will travel to the University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire for a double header on March 25, starting at 4:00 PM.
