Orange City, Iowa – The Northwestern College softball team (30-8, 9-5 GPAC) swept the Flames of College of Saint Mary (11-23, 7-9 GPAC) in two close games on the Raider’s senior day. Game one saw Emily Strasser (Sr., Sioux Falls, S.D.) hit the game winning RBI in the bottom of the sixth. Game two was a pitchers’ duel resulting in a walk-off win for the Raiders.
GAME 1: Northwestern 3, College of Saint Mary 2
Pitching Decisions
Win: Kameryn Etherington (15-3)
Loss: E. Schnell (8-13)
Save: Kate Kralik (3)
How It Happened
College of Saint Mary was first to strike on the score board with a solo homerun in the top of the second inning.
The fourth inning saw the Raiders set up with runners on second and third as Kameryn Etherington (So., Algona, Iowa) stepped in and delivered a safety squeeze as the catcher threw her out at first, allowing Gwen Mikkelsen (Jr., Casa Grande, Ariz.) to score (1-1).
The Flames would retake the lead in the top of the sixth with an RBI single up the middle, giving them a 2-1 lead.
The Raiders would answer immediately in the bottom of the sixth as Bri Giordano (Jr., Arroyo Grande, Calif.) would single down the left field line to score Madysn Grotewold (So., Larchwood, Iowa) and tying the game at two. Strasser would deliver with a double to left center field to score Etherington, giving the Raiders the lead 2-1.
GAME 2: Northwestern 2, College of Saint Mary 1
Pitching Decisions
Win: Kameryn Etherington (16-3)
Loss: M. Garcia (3-10)
Save: N/A
How It Happened
The Flames again were first on the scoreboard in game two, this time via a double in the fourth inning, scoring one run.
The Raiders were quick to respond, tying the game up on a Jordyn Kramer (Sr., Larchwood, Iowa) double, scoring Strasser.
The bottom of the seventh inning proved to be an exciting finish. Kramer singled with one out and then stole second base, putting the Raiders in a good position with one out. Gallegos worked a walk and Brooke Zylstra (So., Hull, Iowa) came on to pinch run. A Charli Bomgaars (Fr., Boyden, Iowa) laid down a sacrifice bunt to get both runners in scoring position with two outs. College of Saint Mary was attempting to intentionally walk Jennifer Boeve (Jr., Hastings, Neb.) and with a 2-0 count the third pitch of the at-bat was thrown over the head of the catcher allowing Kramer to take home and give the Raiders the walk-off win.
STAT OF THE GAME:
6 – The Raiders used six sacrifice hits throughout the day to move runners into scoring position and manufacture runs on a windy day at the diamond.
Up Next: The Raiders will return to the diamond Saturday, April 23rd, for a doubleheader against Morningside University, beginning at 1:00 p.m. The Raiders are currently sitting in third place in the GPAC, one spot ahead of the Mustangs.
