Atchison, Kansas — Erika McKenney hit a two-run home run to highlight a four-run sixth inning in leading Northwestern to an 8-3, game two win over Benedictine Wednesdasy in Atchinson, Kan.
The Raiders dropped game one in a pitcher’s dual, 2-1; they move to 8-4 on the season and will play the Ravens in another doubleheader on Thursday.
Leading by just one run (4-3), Northwestern pushed across four crucial insurance runs in the top of the sixth inning to go up 8-3. Jennifer Boeve drove in Emily Bosch with a double and later scored on a ball hit by Bri Giordano. McKenney then came to the plate and hit a two-run, two-out home run, scoring Giordano, to give Bouman’s squad a comfortable lead.
Kameryn Etherington (5-1) made sure the lead would hold as the freshman pitched one-hit ball over the final 4.1 innings and struck out five. Sydnee Isom started the game for the Raiders, giving up five hits, three runs in 2.2 innings.
McKenney paced the Raiders 11-hit attack with three hits and three RBIs. Emily Bosch went 2-for-4 with a run scored and and RBI while Jennifer Boeve also had two hits for head coach Shane Bouman’s squad. Four other Northwestern batters tallied one hit each.
Northwestern began game two with a pair of runs in the top of the first as Madysn Grotewold was hit by a pitch and came around to score after a stolen base and throwing error by the catcher. Bri Giordano added an RBI single later in the inning and an Emily Strasser run-scoring single put Northwestern in front 3-0 after three innings.
Benedictine tied the game with three runs in the bottom of the third off a home run by Lenae Salinas. Northwestern took the lead for good on a bunt single by Jessica Mouw, who advance to second off an error and scored on a single from Bosch.
Kaitlyn Fanning went 2-for-4 at the top of the Ravens order and Salinas hit the three-run home run. Abby Pressbrove (2-2) took the loss, giving up 10 hits and eight runs, just three earned, in 5.2 innings.
