Sioux City, Iowa — The Northwestern College softball team (35-9, 14-6 GPAC) picked up their second sweep in as many days against the Chargers of Briar Cliff University (18-21, 8-12 GPAC).
The Raiders used a four-run sixth inning to propel them to a game one win. Game two saw a terrific all-around performance by Kameryn Etherington (So., Algona, Iowa) who threw five innings of shutout softball and drove in two runs.
GAME 1: Northwestern 7, Briar Cliff 3
Pitching Decisions
Win: Kate Kralik (17-4)
Loss: G. Krohn (4-7)
Save: N/A
How It Happened
The Raiders struck first on a Jennifer Boeve (Jr., Hastings, Neb.) single that scored Jordyn Kramer (Sr., Sioux Falls, S.D.) in the top of the third.
Kramer would again be involved in the fourth, notching an RBI single that gave Northwestern a 2-0 lead. Chloe Gallegos (Fr., Carroll, Iowa) produced a productive at-bat resulting in a sacrifice flyout to center that would extend the lead to 3-0.
The sixth inning saw the Raiders add four more runs. Etherington reached base on an error, Gwen Mikkelsen (Jr., Casa Grande, Ariz.) scored (4-0). Gallegos again put the ball in play, grounding out to second base but would score another run. A successful double steal by the Raiders would see Kramer score to put the Raiders ahead 6-0. Boeve would then double and another Charger error would allow Charli Bomgaars (Fr., Boyden, Iowa) to score (7-0).
The Chargers would answer with an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth followed by a two-RBI double in the seventh to make the final 7-3.
Game Notes
Kramer notched a three-hit game, going 3-3 with two runs scored, one RBI, and an impressive three stolen bases.
Kate Kralik (Fr., Indianola, Iowa) picked up where she left off throwing a complete game for the second straight day. She only allowed three runs and struck out four, picking up her 17th win of the season.
Northwestern had three with a multi-hit game – Kramer, Boeve, Mikkelsen.
GAME 2: Northwestern 8, Briar Cliff 0
Pitching Decisions
Win: Kameryn Etherington (18-4)
Loss: K. Guerrero (6-7)
Save: N/a
How It Happened
After two scoreless innings, Boeve hit an RBI single through the left side to score Gallegos. Bri Giordano (Jr., Arroyo Grande, Calif.) singled up the middle to put the Raiders ahead 2-0. Mikkelsen’s at-bat resulted in a sacrifice fly to score the third Raider run of the inning. On an Emily Strasser (Sr., Sioux Falls, S.D.) steal, the catcher committed an error allowing Giordano to score (4-0). Etherington picked up her first RBI of the day on a single to right field.
The fourth inning saw Boeve homer to push the lead to 6-0.
In the top of the fifth Etherington picked up her second RBI with another single, scoring Giordano (7-0). Kramer finished off the Raider scoring with a single to right field to push the lead to eight.
Game Notes
Etherington picked up her 18th win of the season, throwing a five-inning complete game shutout. She struck out four batters, in addition to her pitching performance she went 2-3 at the plate with two RBIs.
The Chargers committed four errors in game two, allowing extra bases for an aggressive Raider team.
Boeve hit her third homerun of the season, she joined Etherington as the two Raiders with multiple hits.
STAT OF THE GAME: 7 – The Raiders are an aggressive team on the base paths and tallied seven stolen bases in their two games today.
Up Next: The Raiders will wrap up regular season conference play on Saturday, April 30, at Jamestown with the doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m.
