ALLEN, Texas – Sydney Maurer blasted two home runs and Natalie Dimitrov tossed a two-hitter in her first collegiate start as the Northwest blanked Texas Wesleyan, 3-0, on Friday.

Dimitrov, a freshman, struck out six batters and allowed two singles for her first shutout and the first seven-inning NU shutout since Rachel Hawley blanked Northwest Christian in 2019.

Texas Wesleyan entered the season as the fourth-ranked team in the Sooner Athletic Conference.

"Natalie pitched an absolute gem today - a complete-game shutout!" said NU Head Coach Pam Fink. 

Maurer broke a scoreless tie with a solo home run in the fourth inning.

Maddie Leffle tripled and scored on Maurer's second home run of the game and her third of the season.

"Sydney was excellent at the plate with two monstrous home runs," Fink said. 

NU collected six hits in the game with Maurer going 3-3. Emily Barry added a triple and a single.

"We played as a family today," said Fink. "We put the barrel on a lot of balls, but right to the fielders."

The Eagles finish off the tournament on Saturday, taking on 16th-ranked Columbia and No. 38 Oklahoma Panhandle State.