CLERMONT, Fla. - The University of Northwestern Softball Team ran into two tough offensive stretches on Thursday, falling to William Peace University and Lake Forest College. The Eagles finished the day with 10 total hits but were unable to push a run across the plate in either game, falling 3-0 to the Pacers before dropping a 5-0 contest to the Foresters.
GAME ONE - WILLIAM PEACE UNIVERSITY PACERS
The Eagles opened the game looking sharp defensively, retiring the Pacers in order through the first two innings. William Peace broke through in the fourth inning, stringing together three consecutive hits to score two runs. They added another run in the fifth before Northwestern's defense settled back in, holding them scoreless over the final two innings.
Northwestern's best scoring chance came in the sixth when Bryn Anderson (Hutchinson, Minn./Hutchinson) launched a triple deep into right-center field. The Eagles were unable to bring her home, however, and finished the game without a run despite putting several balls in play. Northwestern struck out eight times and left seven runners on base in the contest.
Addisyn Hansen (Tea, S.D./Tea Area) made the start in the circle, pitching four innings with three strikeouts while allowing five hits and two earned runs. Emma Morrissey (Wasilla, Alas./Colony) came on in relief for the final three innings, allowing just one hit and one run while striking out one. Anderson led the Eagles at the plate, going 2-3 with a triple. Emma Westrate (Fall Creek, Wis./Fall Creek), Trista Oberle (Hudson, Wis./Homeschool), and Kate Van Ess (Luxemburg, Wis./Luxemburg Casco) each added a hit, finishing 1-2.
GAME TWO - LAKE FOREST COLLEGE FORESTERS
The second game of the afternoon followed a similar script as the Eagles struggled to generate offense, finishing with four hits while leaving nine runners on base in the 5-0 loss.
Northwestern threatened early in the first inning when Lani Schoper (Madison Lake, Minn./Mankato West) reached on a walk, stole second, and advanced on a fielder's choice. The Foresters recorded the final out before she could cross the plate. Lake Forest answered in the bottom of the inning with two runs, capitalizing on aggressive base running that proved difficult for the Eagles to contain.
Another opportunity came in the second inning when Hannah Storey (Big Lake, Minn./Monticello) singled and stole second to reach scoring position, but the rally was halted before Northwestern could score. The game remained close until Lake Forest added insurance runs with a pair of home runs to left field to extend the lead to five.
The Eagles made one final push when Storey ripped a double that turned into a triple on a fielding error, but Northwestern could not complete the rally.
Ireland Strubbe (Chandler, Ariz./Valley Christian) started in the circle and pitched four innings, recording one strikeout. Morrissey returned in relief and capped off a strong day in the circle, allowing just one hit over the final two innings while striking out two. Storey led the Eagles offensively, going 2-2 with a double. Schoper and Emma Edwards (Ham Lake, Minn./Blaine) each added a hit, combining for the Eagles' four hits in the game.
Northwestern will wrap up its Spring Break trip in Florida on Friday, March 13, with games against Marywood University and Curry College at 10:00 AM ET and 12:30 PM ET.
