Topeka, Kan. – Five days after wrapping up play from Florida, the Northern State University softball team was swept by Washburn University. Home runs were the offensive power of the day for Northern, as the Wolves hit four in the two games and scored 12 runs. Costly errors and unearned runs proved that offense was not enough and Northern fell to 4-6 overall.
Game One
Facing off against their first MIAA opponent of the season the Wolves fell in game one after a back and forth battle throughout the contest. Innings one and seven were left scoreless for both teams, while the Wolves and Ichabods combined for 16 runs.
Kami Smesmo (3-2) suffered the loss for the Wolves after giving up four earned runs on ten hits and three walks.
The NSU offense answered back for Smesmo scoring four earned runs of their own, however four defensive errors led to five WU unearned runs and the win. Off to a great start after one full inning of play, NSU recorded their first triple play of the season against the 'Bods. WU's four run third inning and grand slam by Jones did not diminish the Northern spirit as the Wolves came back to score five more in the game.
Sophomore
Kelsey Gale was hot with the stick going a perfect 4-4 from the plate with one RBI and one run scored.
Lauren Kunz had a game of her own going 2-4 from the seven spot with two RBI off her first career home run to center field. Kunz also connected for the team's only double in the game, while scoring two runs.
Eight of the nine NSU starters connected for at least one hit in the game to bring the team total to 12 tying their season high set against Lees-McRae.
Kalie Maiden and
Eryn Yancy were the two other Wolves in the game to connect for a RBI. A total of eight NSU runners, to five WU runners, were left on base through seven innings of play, a potential impact in the final game outcome.
Game Two
Starting pitcher for the Wolves,
Rachel Albright, came out hot offensively hitting her first career home run in the top of the second inning. The two run blast to right center field scored Albright, along with
Lindsey Hubler who had reached base on a walk to at bat prior. In the bottom half of the inning the WU offense responded with ten runs, five unearned, to lead NSU 10-2 through two complete.
Ashley Clapp led off the top of the third for the Wolves with a single up the middle and advanced to second and third off a wild pitch and errant throw. Clapp crossed home after yet another career first of the day, this time for
Kalie Maiden who struck the long ball to left field for two RBI.
The Wolves left the half inning down by six, as the Ichabods stepped to the plate. A shut out bottom of the third for NSU, brought senior
Lindsey Hubler to the plate who sent the long ball to left field for the teams fifth run of the game and fourth homer of the day.
The 5-10 score heading into the bottom of the fourth inning was not enough for the Wolves as the Ichabods connected for five runs to put NSU in the hot seat, to avoid the mercy rule loss. Northern went down in order in the top of the fifth and the game ended 15-5 in favor of Washburn. Albright (0-3) suffered the loss after giving up ten earned runs off ten Washburn hits. Kunz was the only other Wolf to record a hit in the loss.
Northern will continue their road trip as they head to St. Joseph for the Missouri Western Tournament. The Wolves will match-up against Washburn, Central Missouri, Northwest Missouri State, Missouri Western, Emporia, and Pitt State over the course of the three day cross over tournament.
