CLERMONT, Fla. - The University of Northwestern softball team took care of business in its opening set of games in Florida. The team looked sharp for their first games outside and in the dirt, run-ruling both Emmanuel College 16-2 and Allegheny College 12-3 for a sweep on the afternoon.
GAME ONE EMMANUEL COLLEGE SAINTS
In the first game of the day, the Eagles and Saints used the opening inning to find their footing, with both teams going scoreless in the first frame. Gabrielle Keith (Marble Rock, Iowa/Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock) then started things off with a leadoff single in the second inning, and Kacey Boschetti (Roseville, Minn./Roseville Area) entered to run for her. Trista Oberle (Hudson, Wis./Homeschool) moved Boschetti into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt before a Kate Van Ess (Luxemburg, Wis./Luxemburg Casco) single and a wild pitch pushed runners to second and third. Hannah Storey (Big Lake, Minn./Monticello) stepped in and delivered the first blow of the day, sending a single through the left side to bring Boschetti home. Emma Morrissey (Wasilla, Alas./Colony) then worked a walk to load the bases, setting the table for Lani Schoper (Madison Lake, Minn./Mankato West). Schoper forced an Emmanuel error that allowed both Storey and Van Ess to cross the plate, giving Northwestern an early 3-0 lead. In the bottom of the inning, Emmanuel led off with a single, but senior Ireland Strubbe (Chandler, Ariz./Valley Christian) quickly shut things down in the circle, striking out the next three batters.
Northwestern added another run in the third inning when Emma Edwards (Ham Lake, Minn./Blaine) drew a walk and eventually made her way home on hits from Keith and Van Ess. The Saints found their first run in the bottom half of the inning, but the Eagles were just getting started.
The fourth inning was massive for Northwestern as they scored eight runs and batted through the entire lineup. Schoper started the rally with a single and moved to second on a wild pitch before Abby Washburn (Prosper, Tex./Homeschool), pinch-hitting for Emma Westrate (Fall Creek, Wis./Fall Creek), ripped a line drive up the middle to bring her home. Westrate returned as the base runner and wasted little time crossing the plate herself, scoring on an Edwards double. Oberle added a single to put runners on the corners before stealing second base. Van Ess drew a walk to load the bases yet again. Storey continued her strong afternoon with a two-RBI single to center field. The bases were reloaded after Morrissey walked, setting the stage for Schoper to bring home runs nine and ten. A wild pitch and an Emmanuel error allowed the final two runs of the inning to score.
Emmanuel scored their second and final run in the bottom of the fourth. With a 12-2 advantage, UNW did not slow down and added four more runs in the top of the fifth. Edwards started the rally with a single, and Keith followed with a double. Jenna Nusbaum (Blaine, Minn./Spring Lake Park) drew a walk to load the bases before Van Ess brought Edwards home on a sacrifice play. Storey added a sacrifice fly to score Keith. Morrissey continued her patient day at the plate by drawing her third walk and stealing second before Lexi Gonzalez (Oswego, Ill./Oswego East) ripped a line drive single that drove in both Morrissey and Nusbaum. Strubbe and the Eagles closed things out in the bottom of the fifth, with a three and out to seal the 16-2 run rule victory.
Northwestern's offense was firing on all cylinders, finishing 14 for 28 at the plate with every pinch hitter reaching base. Schoper led the charge with a 3-4 performance that included two runs and three RBI. Storey drove in four runs while going 2-3. Edwards also went 2-3 with an RBI. Van Ess had a great game after celebrating her birthday yesterday, going a perfect 2 for 2 with two runs scored and two RBI. Gonzalez and Washburn each went 1-1 with two and one RBI, respectively.
In the circle, Strubbe delivered five steady innings, allowing just two earned runs on four hits, striking out five. The win was historic as it tied her for the most pitching wins in program history with 39, matching the marks set by Lauren Silbernick in 2017 and Kelsey Hanson in 2009.
GAME TWO ALLEGHENY COLLEGE GATORS
The second game was a quick turnaround for Northwestern, and Allegheny jumped out early with two runs in the top of the first. UNW responded quickly with three runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning. Schoper led off with a triple and was quickly brought home by a Van Ess single. Anderson then drew a walk, and both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt from Edwards. Keith drove both runners home to give Northwestern a 3-2 lead.
The Gators answered in the top of the second to tie the game at three, but that would be their final run as the Eagles took control from there. Morrissey reached first and was followed by back-to-back doubles. Schoper doubled to score Morrissey, and Van Ess followed with a double to bring home Schoper. Anderson singled to put runners on the corners before stealing second. With Van Ess and Anderson on base, Keith saw two pitches before making Northwestern history. She hit a massive three RBI home run to become the all-time home runs leader in Northwestern history. She was tied for first with Briana Rodgers and Nicolle Hebert from 2013 and 1998. She is now alone in first with 14 total career home runs.
UNW added four more runs in the bottom of the fourth to secure the run rule. Edwards walked and moved to second on a single from Keith. Kate Trump (Faribault, Minn/Bethlehem Academy) advanced the runners with a sacrifice bunt. Boschetti entered to run for Keith at second. Addisyn Hansen (Tea, S.D./Tea Area) then drew a walk. Storey drove Edwards home with a deep single. Morrissey hit a sacrifice fly, giving Boschetti time to run home, drawing catcher's obstruction and going directly through the catcher for the tenth run of the game. Schoper sealed the game with a single to drive Storey and Hansen home.
Schoper put together another impressive performance, going 3-4 with three RBI, two runs, a triple, and a double. Keith finished a perfect 3-3 with five RBI and the historic home run. Van Ess went 2 for 4 with two RBI, a double, and two runs scored. Hansen went the distance in the circle for UNW delivering five solid innings. She struck out three batters allowing only two earned runs and seven hits.
UNW still has eight varsity games left while in Florida, returning to the field tomorrow, Saturday, March 7th, with games at 10:00 AM Eastern Time and 12:30 PM Eastern Time.
