The Red Raider softball team swept a GPAC doubleheader from USF last night, 8-0 in six innings and 5-2 in the nightcap. Northwestern improves to 14-12 overall, 4-4 in the GPAC. USF falls to 2-8 overall, 1-7 in league play.
Lexy Determan pitched a complete-game, one-hit shutout as the Red Raiders downed USF 8-0 (six innings) in game one. The freshman from Terril, Iowa, gave up a one-out single to Jolyn Heidebrink in the second inning but was perfect from that point on. Determan faced just one batter over the minimum (19) and struck out 11, including the final two outs of the game. She improves to 10-6 on the season.
Offensively, Northwestern totaled eight hits, two each by Michelle Van Duyn, Rachel Harris and Lara Vonnahmen. Northwestern scored one run in the second inning off a sacrifice fly from Vonnahmen. The Red Raiders broke the game open with four runs in the fourth inning. Lizz Swanson led off the inning with a solo home run, her eighth of the year, to make the score 2-0. Then, with two outs, Northwestern hit three straight singles by Harris, Vonnahmen and Determan, followed by a throwing error by the catcher made the score 4-0. Michelle Van Duyn closed out the scoring with an RBI single.
Leading 5-0, Northwestern ended the game with a three-run sixth inning. Back-to-back doubles by Harris and Vonnahmen to lead off the sixth put the score at 6-0. After Determan walked, Vonnahmen scored off a throwing error on a bunt by Hope Weiler which put Determan at third with no outs. Van Duyn then hit an RBI single which scored Determan and ended the game.
In game two, Gavi Burrola picked up her fourth win of the season as the junior scattered five hits over 4 1/3 innings and gave up two runs. Lexi Determan pitched the final 2 2/3 innings for her first save. She gave up one hit and struck out six of the nine batters she faced.
Offensively, Northwestern was led by Stacey Godfrey who went 2-for-3 at the plate. Lizz Swanson went 1-for-3 with a run scored and one RBI. Michelle Van Duyn, Sara Curry and Determan also had one hit for Coach Mason's squad. Northwestern scored two in the first, one in the fourth and two more in the fifth inning for the win.
The Red Raiders are scheduled to play both Midland Lutheran and Doane on the road this weekend. The doubleheader against the Warriors slated for Friday night at 5/7:00 pm.
2008 media guide
