MANKATO, Minn. - Saturday evening, the University of Northwestern Softball Team squared off against a pair of MIAC opponents, opening with Hamline University before facing Saint Catherine University. The Eagles earned a thrilling 3-2 victory over Hamline for their first win of the 2026 season before falling to Saint Catherine, 10-2, in the final game of the evening.
GAME 1: HAMLINE UNIVERSITY PIPERS
As the home team, UNW took the field first with
Ireland Strubbe (Chandler, Ariz./Valley Christian) in the circle. She struck out the first batter of the game and worked out of early pressure by fanning two more hitters to strand two runners. In the bottom of the first,
Lani Schoper (Madison Lake, Minn./Mankato West) manufactured the game's opening run. After singling to lead off, she stole second, advanced on a sacrifice from
Hannah Storey (Big Lake, Minn./Monticello), and sprinted home when the Pipers threw out
Bryn Anderson (Hutchinson, Minn./Hutchinson) at second. The run gave Northwestern a 1-0 lead that held until the fifth inning.
Both teams plated a run in the fifth. Hamline capitalized on a pair of UNW errors to even the score, but the Eagles answered immediately.
Emma Westrate (Fall Creek, Wis./Fall Creek) led off with a double and later scored on a Schoper groundout and a sacrifice fly from Storey to reclaim a 2-1 advantage. The Pipers tied the game again in the top of the sixth, and Northwestern threatened in the bottom half but left two runners stranded.
After a quick three-up, three-down inning from Strubbe in the seventh, the Eagles seized their opportunity. Schoper reached on an error to begin the frame. Anderson and
Kate Trump (Faribault, Minn/Bethlehem Academy) were both intentionally walked, and
Emma Edwards (Ham Lake, Minn./Blaine) delivered a quality at-bat to move runners into scoring position. With the bases loaded, a wild pitch allowed Schoper to dash home with the winning run, sealing the 3-2 victory.
Westrate, serving as designated player, went 2-3 with a run scored and her first collegiate double. Schoper scored twice and added a stolen base, while Storey recorded the lone RBI. Strubbe was outstanding across seven innings, striking out eight, allowing just two hits, and surrendering no earned runs.
GAME 2: SAINT CATHERINE UNIVERSITY WILDCATS
The Eagles quickly transitioned to the second game of the evening. Saint Catherine struck early, scoring one run in the first inning and adding four more in the second. Northwestern loaded the bases in the bottom of the second but was unable to capitalize.
UNW broke through in the third. Westrate hit a ball deep to left field for a ground-rule double. Anderson followed by battling to a full count before barreling a two-run home run over the left-field wall to cut into the deficit. This is the first home run of the season and the third of her career.
The Wildcats responded with one run in the fifth and four more in the sixth to secure the 10-2 win.
Westrate and Anderson each went 1-3 at the plate, with Anderson driving in both Northwestern runs. Gabrielle finished 2-3 at the plate while adding two putouts and three assists defensively.
Addisyn Hansen (Tea, S.D./Tea Area) pitched five innings, striking out three batters while allowing seven earned runs on 10 hits.
Jenna Nusbaum (Blaine, Minn./Spring Lake Park) tossed a scoreless final inning in relief.
The Eagles return to action on Saturday at the Luther Dome Games in Rochester, where they will face the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse at 3:30 PM and the University of Wisconsin-Platteville at 5:30 PM.
