St. Joseph, Mo. – The first day of the Missouri Western Crossover Tournament, lead the Northern State University softball team to their first sweep of the season. The Wolves tallied wins over Missouri Western, 3-2, and Washburn University, 9-6, as they improved to 6-6 overall.
 
Game One: Missouri Western
 
After going down 0-1 in the bottom of the first inning the Wolves came back to take the lead in the top of the third off the bat of Rachel Albright. Kelsey Gale and Kalie Maiden sat in scoring position after reaching base due to a walk and an error by the pitcher as Albright stepped to the plate. Rachel laced a double to left center field and scored the two runners, putting the Wolves on top 2-1.
 
Northern added on more run in the top of the sixth inning to secure the 3-2 victory over the home Griffons. Kami Smesmo recorded her fourth win of the season, racking up four strikeouts and five hits on one earned run.
 
Eryn Yancy, Macey Engel and Katelynn Dilts also recorded a hit for Northern in the game. Dilts pinch hit single batted in the Wolves final run of the game and her first RBI of the season. Going in to game two of the day the Wolves season record sat at 5-6, while the win snapped a three game losing streak.
 
Game Two: Washburn
 
Down 1-6 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, the Wolves had revenge on their minds after a two game sweep by Washburn just two days ago. Eight runs off of five hits lead the Wolves to victory as they sent the Ichabod offense to the bench in order in the top of the seventh. Missy Elkins (2-1) notched the win for the Wolves, throwing a complete game with five strikeouts. Although giving up six earned runs, the freshman was able to cool down when it counted and hold the lead.
 
Northern was led offensively by Kalie Maiden who was a perfect 2-2 from the plate with two RBI and a run scored. Maiden also drew two walks in the win and drove a doubled to left field. Rachel Albright added to her stellar offensive day with two hits in three at bats, while crossing the plate for a Northern run and driving in Macey Engel in the sixth. Engel added a double herself in the bottom of the fourth inning.
 
Lead off Kelsey Gale added a pair of RBI off one hit, while scoring two runs herself in the win. Six Wolves singled in the game, while each batter reached base on at least one at bat. The NSU offensive nabbed two stolen bases of the legs of Gale and Maiden, and ran aggressively across the base paths to get in scoring position. A .321 team batting average and seven total walks issued helped power the Northern offense to nine runs in six innings of play.
 
The Wolves will be back in action tomorrow from St. Joe as they take on Northwest Missouri and Pitt State. Game times are set for 12 p.m. against the Bearcats and 4 p.m. against the Gorillas. Northern will then finish the tournament Sunday with morning match-ups against Emporia State and Central Missouri.

Northwest Missouri Live Stats
Pitt State Live Stats