Eagles Split with Saint Martin’s University
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 5 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 4 runs early, it had all the appearances on being a repeat of the teams match up 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 bring 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 3
rd inning, racking up 2 RBI’s and bringing the game within two runs (4-2). But that wasn’t all for the Eagles, as a new Freshman Jessica Nunes had a sacrifice fly to right field, bringing Sam Parisio to score. Carly Tighe put the icying on the cake with a two-run homerun giving the Eagles the first lead of the game 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 5
th inning to extend the Eagles lead 8-4. Rachel Hawley not only recorded the win in the circle, she also hit a two-run homerun in the top of the 7
th 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 3 for 4 with 3 RBI’s on the day. Alyssa French also played an active role hitting 2 for 4 with 3 RBI’s.
Kimberlyn Tutt and Brandi Schoessler controlled the game from the circle. Combined they held the Eagles to 4 hits and 5 strike outs. It was obvious Tutt and Schoessler were on point. Together they only threw 108 pitches in 7 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 7 solid innings. We were able to get the big hits when we needed them.”