TUCSON, Ariz. – The receiving votes Northwestern College softball team (19-3) defeated the Roosevelt University (Ill.) Lakers, 3-1, and Dickinson State University Blue Hawks, 5-3, to pick up wins number 18 and 19 on the season, behind a four RBI day from Jennifer Boeve, while Kate Kralik notched her 10th-career win in the circle.
GAME 1: (RV) Northwestern 3, Roosevelt 1
The Raiders jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the first inning. Boeve (Jr., Hastings, Neb.) singled and advanced on a ground out and came around to score on a Gwen Mikkelsen (Jr., Casa Grande, Ariz.) single.
The third inning saw Bri Giordano (Jr., Arroyo Grande, Calif.) and stole second. Mikkelsen was hit by a pitch Kameryn Etherington (So., Algona, Iowa) singled scoring Giordano giving the Raiders a two-run lead. Etherington was dominant in the circle holding the Lakers (7-7, 0-0 CCAC) to one hit through the first three innings.
Emily Strasser (Sr., Sioux Falls, S.D.) started the sixth inning with a double, she advanced to third on a Charli Bomgaars (Fr., Boyden, Iowa) single. Boeve reached on an error that allowed Strasser to score (3-0). The Lakers scored their lone run in the bottom of the sixth to break-up the Raider shutout bid.
Bomgaars notched a multi-hit game and Etherington picked up her eighth win of the season in the circle.
GAME 2: (RV) Northwestern 5, Dickinson St. 3
The first two innings saw both teams combine for three total hits. Dickinson State (8-12, 0-0 NSAA) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third.
Mikkelsen started the bottom of the fourth with a single and advanced on a sacrifice. Strasser singled and scored Mikkelsen to tie the game at one.
Etherington reached on an error to start the bottom of the sixth and advanced on a sacrifice to second. Etherington stole third but was subsequently thrown out trying to score on a grounder to short. Grotewold pinch ran for Strasser on first, Chloe Gallegos (Fr., Carroll, Iowa) reached on an error, putting runners on first and second. Bomgaars worked a walk to load the bases. Boeve cleared the bases with a triple giving the Raiders a 4-1 lead. Jordyn Kramer (Sr., Larchwood, Iowa) would single and push the lead to four (5-1).
The Blue Hawks would make a comeback attempt in the top of the seventh scoring two runs but eventually coming up short, as Etherington would enter and get two fly outs to shut the door on Dickinson State – leaving the bases loaded.
Boeve notched a multi-hit game and tallied three RBIs in the win. Kralik (Fr., Indianola, Iowa) tallied her tenth win of the season (10-1) and Etherington earned the save, her first of the season.
Up Next: The Raiders will wrap up their trip to Arizona on Monday, March 14, with one final doubleheader against a pair of foes from the North Star Athletic Association (NSAA). Game one will be against Dakota State (S.D.) (1-7, 0-0 NSAA) at 11:00 a.m. (CT) and Game two against Viterbo (Wis.) (0-6, 0-0 NSAA), starting at 1:15 p.m. (CT).
