ST. PAUL, Minn. - The University of Northwestern Softball Team took on the UW-Eau Claire Blugolds, who were ranked #23 in the nation last week, on Wednesday evening. The Eagles struggled to find a groove in the first game, finishing 3-13 through five innings. In the second game, UNW put up a fight and threatened to walk it off in the final frame, but fell 1-3. 

GAME ONE: 

The Blugolds scored in every inning of the opening game, putting a lot of pressure on the Northwestern defense, but UNW was able to avoid a shutout, scoring in the final two innings. 

Starting off, UW-Eau Claire plated one run in the opening inning. They looked to add more as they loaded the bases, but a double play shut the door and turned the inning. In the bottom of the frame, the Eagles were held scoreless despite Lani Schoper (Madison Lake, Minn./Mankato West) leading off with a single and moving to second on a bunt. Schoper's single was the team's only hit through the first three innings. Northwestern went three and out after that until the fourth inning. 

In the fourth inning, Hannah Storey (Big Lake, Minn./Monticello) recorded the second hit of the game, and it was a big one. Her contact cleared the fence for a one RBI home run, bringing the score to 1-12.

The final inning began with Trista Oberle (Hudson, Wis./Homeschool) beating out a throw to first, followed by two singles by Kate Trump (Faribault, Minn/Bethlehem Academy) and Hannah Lexvold (Forest Lake, Minn./Forest Lake Area). With loaded bases, Schoper batted home Oberle, and Storey forced a fielder's choice, allowing Trump to score and bring the Blugolds within 10, but the potential comeback would end there for the Eagles. 

Storey, Oberle, Trump, and Lexvold each went 1-2 at the plate, with Storey recording 2 RBI and a home run. Schoper finished 1-3 with an RBI. 

In the circle for the Ealges, Ireland Strubbe (Chandler, Ariz./Valley Christian) started and pitched the first three innings, collecting two strikeouts, allowing just four earned runs. Emma Morrissey (Wasilla, Alas./Colony) entered as relief in the fourth inning, allowing five earned runs, and Kailynn Duncan (Barron, Wis./Barron) finished the game with one strikeout and one earned run. 

GAME TWO: 

The second game started similarly to game one, as the Blugolds crossed home plate twice in the first inning. However, the defense, alongside Addisyn Hansen (Tea, S.D./Tea Area) in the circle, allowed just one more run for the visitors the rest of the game.

UNW's tighter defense didn't translate to the offensive end until the final two innings. In the sixth, Schoper doubled and Storey singled with no outs, but an unfortunate lineout resulted in a double play. Storey advanced to third before the inning ended.

Oberle got the offense started in the final inning, as an error, a sacrifice bunt, and a walk loaded the bases with one out. Emma Edwards (Ham Lake, Minn./Blaine) singled to bring Oberle home, but two swinging strikeouts ended the inning as the Eagles were unable to bring in any more runs.

Oberle and Gabrielle Keith (Marble Rock, Iowa/Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock) both were 1-2 at the plate, and Edwards recorded the lone RBI of the game. Hansen went the distance in the one spot, allowing three earned runs and only six hits. 

The Eagles turn around to play the University of Minnesota Morris in the UMAC Series of the Week on Friday and Saturday in their first away games since returning from Florida. The opening game of the series will start at 4:00 PM on Friday, April 10.