MANKATO, Minn. - The University of Northwestern Softball team drove down to Mankato on Friday for a highly anticipated conference series against Bethany Lutheran. The Vikings caught fire and won the first game in five innings with a score of 11-2. In game two, the Eagles toyed with the emotions of the Northwestern faithful but eventually came away with an extra-innings, 8-7 victory in the second game.
GAME 1 -
These two teams entered the weekend undefeated and atop the conference table. The Eagles came out of the gate swinging hard, and it looked as though they were going to run away with this game, like they have in so many others this season. Mikayla Gee (Rochester, Minn./John Marshall), Sydney Lane (Altoona, Iowa/Grand View Christian), and Lani Schoper (Madison Lake, Minn./Mankato West) all put the ball in play in the first inning, but the solid defense of Bethany held UNW scoreless as they left two runners on base.
After a blink, the next inning and a half was gone due to nine outs through nine batters. Still searching for the opening run, Gee continued her good start to the afternoon as she singled, then stole second and advanced to third via Lane's pop-fly. The Eagles finally found the first run after a hit from Schoper drove Gee the final 60 feet to home plate.
Their lead only lasted a few moments after a triple from the home team brought two runs home. UNW threatened in the 4th as Terry made it to second before the close of their half inning. The bottom of the inning found four runs for BLC.
The final frame gave the UNW dugout hope, thanks to a lead-off triple off the bat of Kate Trump (Faribault, Minn/Bethlehem Academy). Trump scored the last Eagle run on Lane's single. Bethany Lutheran then shut down any potential comeback by scoring five runs to induce the run rule, ending the game.
Schoper and Lane both went 2-3 at the plate and both brought a runner home. Ireland Strubbe (Chandler, Ariz./Valley Christian) started in the circle for UNW and struck out two batters, allowing six earned runs and eight hits.
GAME 2 -
Anyone watching the start of game two took a ride on a roller coaster of emotion. The Vikings jumped to a 4-0 lead in the first inning after stalling Lane on third in the top of the frame. However, the top of the second brought hope back to the hearts of the Eagle fans as Trump, Riley Summers (Fontana, Wis./Big Foot), Gee, Kate Beer (Prior Lake, Minn./Prior Lake), and Lane crossed home plate to take the lead in dramatic fashion. Trump smashed another triple to lead off the inning, then Summers singled and brought Trump home. A fielder's choice and error allowed Beer and Summers to advance. A single from Gee pushed Beer to third and Summers home, before stealing second. A red-hot Lane hit another double to drive both Gee and Beer home, then a single from Iverson scored Lane to steal the lead, 5-4.
Both teams battled on defense and produced one and a half scoreless innings. UNW found their next run in the 4th to move the score to 6-4. Gee opened the inning by making it to first, then rounded the bases with a bunt from Lane and a sacrifice ground out, to score the sixth run. Another two scoreless innings left the door open for the talented Vikings' squad, who launched a two-run home run to tie the game at six in the bottom of the 6th. With extra innings looming over both teams, BLC grabbed three outs before Northwestern also grabbed three outs to force free softball.
In the top of the first extra inning, Summers hit a base knock to get to first. Reganne Henning (Beatrice, Neb./Beatrice) pinch ran for Summers, while Bryn Anderson (Hutchinson, Minn./Hutchinson) pinch hit for Terry. Terry re-entered for Anderson after a perfect line drive through the 6-4 hole. With runners on first and second, Gee battled and did her best to keep the Eagles alive. She saw 10 pitches before being thrown out at first to close the inning. UNW stayed composed as they forced a three-and-out.
Northwestern caught fire in the top of the 9th, and scored twice. Lane delivered a massive lead-off triple to put the go-ahead run on third. Schoper watched four balls cross the plate to walk her to first. A sacrifice fly from Iverson scored Lane after she tagged up and slid safely home, also advancing Schoper to second. Emma Edwards (Ham Lake, Minn./Blaine) poked a one-bouncer off the back wall to get to second and score Schoper. Emma Morrissey (Wasilla, Alas./Colony) pinch ran for Edwards and made it to 3rd before the final out of the inning.
Three outs away from the win, BLC made it to first after one out, and Iverson caught an infield fly for the second out. A Viking double brought home one run, but Gee assisted on the final out as she controlled the screaming hit and threw it to Iverson, who adjusted, lunged, and completed the Eagles' win.
Lane continued her impressive day by going 4-5 at the plate with 2 RBI, 2 doubles, a triple, and 2 runs scored. Edwards, Summers, and Gee all went 2-5 at the plate with one RBI each. Edwards also tallied a double, and Trump recorded a triple. Emma Heffron (Altoona, Iowa/Grand View Christian) pitched an impressive full game with 2 strikeouts, 10 hits, and 7 earned runs
The final game of the series will begin at 11:00 AM on Saturday at Thomas Field in Mankato to secure a spot in the UMAC Playoffs next month.
