AUSTIN, Minn. – The Northwestern College softball team (2-0) started the season with a sweep of the Waldorf University (0-2), improving their win streak to 14 games over Waldorf since 2006. Northwestern won game one 15-0 and game two 9-2.
“As coaches we are proud of the hard work our women have put in. They were excited to put on the red and compete today,” said head coach Shane Bouman. “Pitchers were aggressive early in counts which led to only seven hits and 16 strikeouts (both games).”
The three-hour bus trip across the Minnesota border to the Packer Dome in Austin, Minn. did not seem to affect the bats of Coach Bouman’s Raider squad that erupted for 21 hits in the first game alone, combining for 32 hits and 24 runs in the two contests. Jennifer Boeve (Jr., Hastings, Neb./Hastings) was red hot at the plate all afternoon, going 6-for-7 with five runs scored from her lead-off slot.
The 21 hits cracks the top-5 all-time for a single-game, sitting tied for third.
GAME 1: Northwestern 15, Waldorf 0 (F/5)
Northwestern wasted no time getting on the board in the opener, plating six runs in the first frame to put the game out of reach. Kameryn Etherington (So., Algona, Iowa/Algona) would hold the Warriors to less hits in the five-inning contest (2) than the Raiders scored runs in the opening frame.
The scoring would begin when Etherington slapped a ball down the left field line for a two-run double, followed by a Gwen Mikkelson (Jr., Casa Grande, Ariz./Mission Heights Prep) triple that would put the Raiders up 3-0 early. A Waldorf error would allow for three more Raider runs to cross the plate, to double the lead to 6-0.
The Raiders would tack on two more runs in the second inning, thanks to RBI doubles from Mikkelson and Bri Giordano (Jr., Arroyo Grande, Calif./Arroyo Grande), extending the lead up to 8-0. Solid station-to-station hitting and timely singles would result in seven more Raider runs in the contest, as Northwestern shutout the Warriors 15-0 in five innings.
“Offensively, when you are able to keep constant pressure on teams, you can score runs,” concluded Bouman.”
Etherington picked up her first win of the season, tossing four innings of shutout softball, allowing only two hits. She was extremely effective, facing only 14 Warrior batters and producing two Waldorf 1-2-3 innings.
GAME 2: Northwestern 9, Waldorf 2
The first three innings of Game 2 was a complete flip of the script, as it was a pitcher’s duel with Northwestern leading 1-0. The early 1-0 lead came thanks to a Waldorf error that scored Boeve.
In the fourth inning, a Jordyn Kramer (Sr., Larchwood, Iowa/West Lyon) sacrifice fly would plate the second Raider run, while a throwing error by the Waldorf catcher would score Giordano to give Northwestern a 3-0 advantage.
Coach Bouman manufactured the fourth Northwestern run in the fifth inning with a 1st and 3rd situation, as Boeve would, yet again, score as Waldorf threw down to catch Madysn Grotewold (So., Larchwood, Iowa/West Lyon) trying to swipe second.
The flood gates opened in the sixth inning as Emily Strasser (Sr., Sioux Falls, S.D./Sioux Falls Christian) stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded. A double to right center field would clear the bases and the Raiders opened up an 8-2 lead. Scoring once more in the frame, the Raiders would prevail 9-2 to move to 2-0 in the early season.
Freshman Kate Kralik (Indianola, Iowa/Indianola) notched her first-career win in the circle. She allowed two runs on just five hits, while striking out 11 Warrior hitters.
Northwestern will meet Waldorf again on Tuesday, April 19 for a doubleheader up in Forest City, Iowa.
Up Next: The Raiders will travel to St. Cloud, Minn. next weekend for four games against NCAA Division II competition at the St. Cloud State DOME Tournament on Friday, February 11 and Saturday, February 12. Northwestern will play two games against Bemidji State (Minn.) and single-games against the University of Sioux Falls and Southwest Minnesota State.
