The Northwest Missouri State softball team played almost near perfect as they shutout the Lincoln Blue Tigers in a MIAA opening double header Friday winning 8-0 and 4-0 at Bearcat Field.
Northwest got back the .500 mark moving to 8-8 on the year and 2-0 in league play with the sweep. Lincoln fell to 4-12 on the year and 0-2 in conference play as Friday was the conference opener for both teams.
Game One – Box Score
The Bearcats got a solid outing in game one from Jenna Creger, who won her third game with a complete game shutout. Creger only allowed two hits and walked none while striking out four as she got the run support needed to end the game via run rule in the fifth inning.
Northwest jumped out to an early lead after a pair of lead off singles brought Kayli Schurman to the plate. Schurman would reach on an outfield error, but picked up her ninth RBI of the season in process.
Just two batters later Angela Wright singled giving Northwest an early 2-0 lead.
After adding a run in the third and fourth innings the Bearcats would put the game in the books in the fifth inning.
Aggressive base running from Anastaszia Roseberry after a single would set up a Josie Van Houten RBI on her third hit of the game. Kristen Uthe would add three RBIs on a one out double ending the game by run rule.
Game two – Box Score
The Northwest pitching staff continued the afternoon with its second shutout to close out the double header as Morgan Brunmeier toed the rubber. Brunmeier scattered nine hits over the complete game shutout, but only walked one and struck out four.
The Bearcats played solid all afternoon as they did not commit an error in either game.
At the plate, Northwest again got on the board early after a pair of wild pitches allowed Jordan Ereth and Van Houten to score taking a 2-0 in the bottom of the first.
In the third Northwest would get its only earned run of the game on an Uthe single that scored Ereth.
The Bearcats would pick up their fourth run when Van Houten scored on a throwing error after Schurman struck out swinging, but reached on the catcher’s miscue.
Northwest returns to the diamond Saturday for a non-conference double header with future MIAA foe Lindenwood. First pitch from Bearcat Field is set for 12 p.m.
— NWMSU Sports Information —