Northwestern Softball took a swing against Dordt College and fell 0-2 against the Defenders. Tuesday afternoon, NW played a doubleheader at the Dordt softball field in Sioux Center. While both teams exhibited great talent and work ethic, NW made a few detrimental errors that cost them their first GPAC win.
The Raiders did well at the plate with 11 hits in the first game. However, Dordt was the first to score, gaining two runs in the second and fifth innings. The Raiders stayed scoreless until the sixth inning when the team scored three runs thanks to hits from freshman Emily Strasser, sophomore Emma Schnell and freshman Jennifer Boeve. That same inning, Dordt was able to bring in one more run. The Raiders were unable to come back in the seventh inning, ending the first game with a score of 3-5.
Schnell took to the circle for the first game and threw well, only giving up two earned runs. The Raiders made four errors in the game.
The second game went into extra innings, with sophomore Samantha Ubben on the mound for the first six innings. Ubben threw an amazing game featuring six strikeouts and no runs. She was replaced by freshman Sydnee Isom who gave up one earned run and threw one strikeout during her time in the pitching circle. Schnell returned to finish the game.
Offensively, the Raiders worked hard to score a run in both the fourth and the seventh, Boeve and senior Madison Beaver both being key players. However, Dordt responded by bringing in two runs during the seventh inning, taking the game into extra innings. The Defenders stole the game in the ninth inning following a double and a walk-off single which brought the winning run home. The Raiders lost 2-3.
The Raiders once again outhit the Defenders 7-6.
“The loss was frustrating, but it is still early in the season, so there is lots of room for growth,” Ubben said. “We need to just keep working together and trying to get used to playing together. Limiting errors and strong pitching will be key for the rest of the season.”
Raider softball takes the field again March 30, hosting the Concordia University Bulldogs. Games are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.