The Northwest Missouri State softball team picked up a pair of victories in the regular season finale against Washburn Sunday afternoon in Maryville.

The Bearcats used a pair of solo home runs and held off a late Ichabod rally to take game one, 3-2.

Northwest plated five runs in the second inning of game two and never looked back, taking the nightcap, 7-4.

The Bearcats improve their record to 24-22 overall and 16-10 in the conference, while Washburn dropped to 27-22 this season and 14-12 in the MIAA.

The twin bill was the final home game for Bearcat seniors Stephanie Mark, Paige Blythe, Abbie Vitosh and Lindsey Holt.

In game one, Sarah Baldwin earned her tenth victory this season after giving up just four hits in 6.2 innings pitched while striking out four Ichabod batters.

Senior Paige Blythe picked up the save after inducing a harmless ground ball to Chantel Adams at third for the final out.

Adams crushed her ninth home run of the season in her first at-bat, while Stephanie Mark had a solo home run of her own to lead off the fourth inning.  Cassidy Lee singled and scored a run, and Rebecca Maher drove in her 33rd run this year with a single.

In game two, Kendle Schieber went the distance for the Bearcats, striking out eight after giving up five hits and just one walk. At the plate the junior finished 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored.

Jessica Rawie collected two RBI on a pair of base hits, Abigail Gilson crushed a double down the left field line in her first at bat, driving in one run and ultimately coming around to score,  and Chantel Adams scored a pair of runs after reaching base on a double and a walk.

Northwest Missouri State will travel to Overland Park, Kan. on Thursday, April 30 for the MIAA Tournament. The team will play two games on Thursday with the first round beginning at 6 p.m.

— Northwest Sports Information —