HASTINGS, Neb. – The Northwestern College softball team (28-8, 7-5 GPAC) completed a doubleheader sweep of the Hastings College Broncos (17-20, 3-9 GPAC), going 3-1 over the weekend on their road trip to Nebraska. The Raiders tallied four extra base hits on the day, including home runs from Gwen Mikkelsen (4th) and Bri Giordano (5th) in Game 2.
GAME 1: Northwestern 5, Hastings 1
How It Happened
The Raiders jumped out to a 1-0 lead on an RBI groundout by Bri Giordano (Jr., Arroyo Grande, Calif.) scoring Madysn Grotewold (So., Larchwood, Iowa). With the bases loaded, Jordyn Kramer (Sr., Larchwood, Iowa) would work a walk to push another run across (2-0).
The third inning saw another Raider run cross via a passed ball. Hastings would answer with a run of their own on an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth (3-1).
The seventh inning saw the Raiders tack on two insurance runs to finish the scoring at 5-1. Giordano would smack a double to right field and score Gwen Mikkelsen (Jr., Casa Grande, Ariz.). Kameryn Etherington (So., Algona, Iowa) would single to center to score Giordano.
GAME 2: Northwestern 10, Hastings 1 (F/6)
The Raiders jumped out to another first inning lead on a sacrifice fly by Giordano, scoring both Jennifer Boeve (Jr., Hastings, Neb.) and Grotewold (2-0). Hastings would answer with a run of their own in the bottom of the second (2-1).
The fourth inning saw the Raider bats come to life. Kramer got the scoring started with an RBI single, scoring Brooke Zylstra (So., Hull, Iowa). A fielder’s choice allowed Chloe Gallegos (Fr., Carroll, Iowa) to score and give the Raiders a 4-1 lead. An RBI groundout by Charli Bomgaars (Fr., Boyden, Iowa) would score Kramer (5-1). A Mikkelsen single to left field and coupled with an error would allow Emily Strasser (Sr., Sioux Falls, S.D.) to score (6-1). An error would allow Giordano to reach first and allow two more Raider runs to score, giving them an 8-1 lead.
The Raiders would again tack on some insurance runs in the sixth inning, by way of two home runs. Mikkelsen would hit a solo homer and Giordano would follow that up with a homer of her own to finish off the scoring at 10-1.
Northwestern continues their road streak with another Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) clash at Briar Cliff on Wednesday, April 13. First pitch slated for 3:00 p.m. in Sioux City on the campus of Briar Cliff University.
