A two game total of 30 hits and two stellar pitching performances lifted the Northwest Missouri State softball team to a sweep of the season opening double-header over St. Mary’s Saturday.

Jenna Creger got the ball in game one and started her senior campaign the best possible way. Creger threw four innings and racked up seven strikeouts giving up only two hits and did not allow a run to pick up her first win in 2013.

The bats were also alive for the Bearcats as they collected 13 hits and scored in every inning except the second. Jordan Ereth led Northwest in hitting as she went 4 for 5 and scored three runs. Stephanie Price added the power in game one as she belted a deep home run to left field in a four run third inning for Northwest.

Paige Blythe finished the game on the mound as the Bearcats won 11-3 in a six inning run rule.

Northwest picked up where they left off after game one as they scattered 17 hits over seven innings for a 10-2 win in game two.

Abby Vitosh was in the circle for the Bearcats and waited until the fourth inning to give up her first hit. Vitosh went five strong innings giving up three hits and one earned run posting five strikeouts. Morgan Brunmeier finished the final two innings and gave up two hits, one earned run and had one strikeout looking. Vitosh grabs her first win of the season.

First baseman Rachael Schmitz went 4 for 4 to lead Northwest in hitting in game two. Schmitz drove in two RBIs and added a run of her own. Kristin Uthe went 2 for 5 but added a long ball with a two-run home run in the first inning to get the Bearcats ahead early.

Kristine Labertew went 3 for 4 and scored three times as the Bearcats rolled past St. Mary’s 10-2 in game two.

Northwest will take their 2-0 record to Bentonville, Ark. for the Arkansas-Monticello 7-State Classic next weekend. The Bearcats will play six games against in-region schools starting Friday as they take on Concordia-St. Paul with first pitch schedule for noon.

— NWMSU Sports Information —