LACEY, Wash. – Northwest University (2-12 overall) faced Saint Martin's University (10-8 overall) for the second and third time this season. The two teams faced off at the Concordia Cavalier Classic earlier in the year, where the Saints took care of the Eagles in five innings. Today, the teams split. Northwest took the first game 10-5, and Saint Martin's University won the second 8-1.
Game one – Northwest University 10, Saint Martin's University 5
The Saints stepped into the batters' box, scoring four runs early. It had all the appearances of being a repeat of the teams' matchup in February. After manufacturing the first run, Sabrina Hicks singled through the right side of the infield, driving in Nicki DeHan to give the Saints a 2-0 lead after the first inning.
In the bottom of the second inning, Nicki DeHan also hit a single through the right side of the infield, scoring Lauren Diuco and Emery Norwood and bringing the score 4-0 in the Saints' favor.
After a quick start, the Saints were threatening to run away with the game until Nicola Fish hit a hard double down the left field line in the top of the third inning, racking up two RBI's and bringing the game within two runs (4-2). However, that wasn't all for the Eagles, as freshman Jessica Nunes hit a sacrifice fly to right field, bringing Sam Parisio to score. Carly Tighe put the icing on the cake with a two-run homerun, giving the Eagles the first lead of the game with a score of 5-4.
Northwest University never gave up the lead the rest of the game. Carly Tighe hit another two-run homerun in the top of the fifth inning to extend the Eagles' lead 8-4. Rachel Hawley not only recorded the win in the circle, but she also hit a two-run homerun in the top of the seventh inning, bringing our final score 10-5.
Game two – Northwest University 1, Saint Martin's University 8
Northwest University used the momentum from the first game to score early in game two. Coach Fink was able to manufacture a run for the Eagles when she sent Sam Parisio to steal second base. Parisio was thrown out, but Sammi Caron was able to score in the meantime, giving the Eagles their only lead of the game (1-0).
Sabrina Hicks led the Saints by hitting three for four with three RBI's on the day. Alyssa French also played an active role, hitting two for four with three RBI's.
Kimberlyn Tutt and Brandi Schoessler controlled the game from the circle. Combined, they held the Eagles to four hits and five strikeouts. It was obvious Tutt and Schoessler were on point. Together, they only threw 108 pitches in seven innings, facing 30 batters.
Head coach
Pam Fink remarked, "I am proud of the team effort. They are a good team. Rachel pitched well and gave us seven solid innings. We were able to get the big hits when we needed them."
