CLERMONT, Fla. - After a couple of days off, the University of Northwestern Softball Team returned to the field to take on fellow Midwest opponent, Buena Vista, in game one, run-ruling them 10-1. They followed the dominant victory with another win over North Park University, winning 8-2. In both games, UNW launched two home runs, with
Emma Edwards (Ham Lake, Minn./Blaine) delivering one in each game, joined by
Hannah Storey (Big Lake, Minn./Monticello) in the first game and
Kate Trump (Faribault, Minn/Bethlehem Academy) in game two.
GAME ONE: BUENA VISTA UNIVERSITY BEAVERS
The Eagles went to work in the bottom of the first after going three up, three down in the top half of the inning. Edwards, in the fourth batter spot, sent the ball deep to score
Lani Schoper (Madison Lake, Minn./Mankato West) from third. The two-run homerun marks the first of the season for the junior captain, earning her the coveted bedazzled bat. Edwards held the home run bat for the next two batters before Storey hit a two-run home run of her own, bringing Trump home, who had just hit a double to get on base.
The Beavers collected their one and only run in the top of the second inning, and held off UNW in the second. The scoreless streak was quickly ended as the Eagles plated six runs in the bottom of the third. A walk, a fielder's choice error, and a hit by pitch loaded the bases with Trump, Storey, and
Trista Oberle (Hudson, Wis./Homeschool).
Hannah Lexvold (Forest Lake, Minn./Forest Lake Area) stepped up to the plate and hit a massive double to score both Trump and Storey. Oberle then scored on a sacrifice hit from
Emma Westrate (Fall Creek, Wis./Fall Creek), bringing the score to 7-1. Two walks loaded the bases for Edwards to bring home another run with a single to center field.
Gabrielle Keith (Marble Rock, Iowa/Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock) followed with a single of her own to score Schoper. The final run of the game came off a double from Trump to drive
Kate Van Ess (Luxemburg, Wis./Luxemburg Casco) home.
UNW closed out the final two innings, going three and out. In the top of the fourth inning,
Ireland Strubbe (Chandler, Ariz./Valley Christian) only delivered five pitches before moving into the bottom half.
Edwards had a day, being perfect at the plate through three appearances, with a home run and three RBI. Trump was also perfect in her two at-bats, recording two doubles and one RBI. Both Hannahs brought home two runners with a homerun from Storey and a double from Lexvold. Strubbe was efficient in the circle for all five innings, allowing just two hits and one earned run, while striking out six batters.
GAME TWO: NORTH PARK UNIVERSITY VIKINGS
The Eagles continued to hit the ball well through the second game, with Schoper leading off with a single. She scored on a sacrifice hit by Van Ess after stealing her way to third. Edwards got another hit to get on base.
Kacey Boschetti (Roseville, Minn./Roseville Area) pinch ran for Edwards and scored with the help of a double from Storey. With the early 2-0 lead, Northwestern closed the inning with three quick outs, keeping North Park at zero.
The Vikings scored their lone run of the game in the bottom of the second, sending one deep for a one-run homer. UNW responded in the top of the third when Edwards scored after being hit by a pitch and pushed to third from a Trump double. Edwards ran the final 60 feet with the fielder's choice on Oberle's hit.
Edwards clearly wanted the bedazzled bat, as she hit another ball out of the park with two outs in the top of the fourth. Her two-run dinger scored Schoper to bring the lead to four. NPU scored another run in the bottom half of the inning, but the Eagles answered again with two more runs in the fifth.
A pair of walks for
Jenna Nusbaum (Blaine, Minn./Spring Lake Park) and Oberle set the table for a deep single from Schoper, scoring them both. The 7-2 score stayed until the top of the sixth, when the homerun bat changed hands once again. Trump lasered the ball deep into center field for her second home run of the season. Defensive efforts stalled any scoring for the last inning and a half for a final score of 8-2.
Schoper led the team, going 3-4 from the plate with two RBI and two runs scored. Edwards and Trump were both 2-3 each with a homer. Trump finished with an RBI and a double while Edwards collected two RBI.
Addisyn Hansen (Tea, S.D./Tea Area) went the distance in the circle, striking out two batters, allowing two earned runs.
The Eagles will continue their Florida games on Thursday at 10:00 AM ET against William Peace University and 12:30 PM ET against Lake Forest University.
