ST. PAUL, Minn. - The University of Northwestern returned home for the first time in nearly two weeks to take on Luther College in a midweek non-conference doubleheader. The Eagles came away with two exciting wins in very different fashion. In game one, Ireland Strubbe (Chandler, Ariz./Valley Christian) tossed a perfect seven-inning no-hitter in a 2-0 victory. In game two, the teams were tied at seven heading into extra innings before Lani Schoper (Madison Lake, Minn./Mankato West) delivered a walk-off solo home run to secure the 8-7 win.
GAME ONE:
The Eagles got off to a strong start defensively behind senior Strubbe in the circle and carried that momentum throughout the game. Entering the contest after recording 29 strikeouts in her previous three appearances, Strubbe continued to dominate, striking out three batters in the first inning.
The second inning featured another quick top half, highlighted by just nine pitches, a diving catch from Hannah Storey (Big Lake, Minn./Monticello), and another swinging strikeout.
UNW got on the board in the bottom of the second. Kate Trump (Faribault, Minn/Bethlehem Academy) led off with a base hit through the right side, and Gabrielle Keith (Marble Rock, Iowa/Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock) followed with a ball to left to move the runner. A sacrifice bunt from Kate Van Ess (Luxemburg, Wis./Luxemburg Casco) advanced both runners into scoring position before a wild pitch allowed Trump to sprint home for the game's first run.
Strubbe remained locked in, striking out the side again in the third for her third consecutive 1-2-3 inning. In the bottom half, Bryn Anderson (Hutchinson, Minn./Hutchinson) added to the lead with a one-RBI home run over the centerfield wall.
In the fourth inning, Strubbe recorded all three outs once again, including working back from a 3-1 count to notch her eighth strikeout.
Northwestern threatened again in the sixth, with Anderson reaching and advancing to third and Keith adding a single, but the Eagles were unable to push another run across.
Keith went 2-3 at the plate, while Anderson finished 1-2 with a home run and an RBI. Emma Edwards (Ham Lake, Minn./Blaine) and Trump each added a hit. Strubbe was incredible for Northwestern as she faced 23 batters, recorded 10 strikeouts, and was responsible for 12 of the 21 outs of the game, securing her first seven-inning no-hitter of the season
GAME TWO:
After being shut out in game one, Luther came out strong, scoring three runs in the opening inning. Northwestern responded with one run as Schoper drew a leadoff walk and advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Storey. Anderson also walked, and both runners moved up on a wild pitch before Schoper scored on an RBI from Edwards, the program's new single-season RBI record holder.
The Eagles held Luther scoreless in the next half inning to stay within two.
In the bottom of the third, after Luther added another run, Storey walked, and Anderson drove a ball to the fence, forcing an error that allowed Storey to score. Edwards followed with a single to put runners on the corners, and Keith drew a walk to load the bases. Trump delivered an RBI single to bring UNW within one before Jenna Nusbaum (Blaine, Minn./Spring Lake Park) came through with a two-RBI hit that nearly cleared the bases. Lexvold added another RBI to cap a five-run inning, giving the Eagles a 6-4 lead.
Luther responded with three runs in the fourth to reclaim the lead, but Northwestern answered again. Storey doubled and advanced to third on a single from Anderson before Edwards drove her in to tie the game at seven.
Schoper nearly broke the tie in the sixth with a deep double, and Edwards followed with a single to put the go-ahead run just 60 feet away, but the Eagles were unable to capitalize.
Luther threatened in the seventh with runners on second and third, but Emma Morrissey (Wasilla, Alas./Colony) delivered a clutch strikeout to end the inning. Northwestern also had a chance in the bottom half, but the game moved to extra innings.
After a scoreless top of the eighth, head coach Alicia du'Monceaux encouraged her batters to stay patient at the plate. Schoper took that advice to heart and was up 3-1 in the count before connecting on her pitch, sending it over the fence for a walk-off home run.
For the second straight week, Schoper delivered a game-winning homer, finishing 2-4 with two runs scored, a double, and an RBI. Edwards went 3-4 with two RBI and a run scored. Anderson added two hits and a run, while Storey scored twice. Trump and Lexvold each recorded an RBI, and Nusbaum finished with two RBI.
Morrissey, who relieved Addisyn Hansen (Tea, S.D./Tea Area) in the second inning and later re-entered, earned her sixth win of the season with three strikeouts, including the key punchout in the seventh.
Northwestern improves to 25-12 on the season and will close out the regular season at home next week in the UMAC Series of the Week against conference leader Bethany Lutheran. With just one game separating the teams, the series will determine the regular season champion and host of the UMAC Tournament. The Eagles will play a single game on Friday at 4:00 PM, followed by a doubleheader on Saturday at 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM.
