SIOUX CENTER, Iowa - Northwestern found themselves in two different types of wins on Friday as the earn a gritty defensive win 3-1 over #25 Saint Xavier, before following it up with an offensive shootout against Dakota State for an 8-5 victory.

Game 1: #17 NWC 3 - #25 Saint Xavier 1
Win: Allison Koontz (7-1)
Loss: L. Strand (2-2)
Save: Tatum Schmalbeck (3)

How It Happened:
In the first inning, the Raiders took a 1-0 early lead as Rylee Bomgaars scored on a wild pitch. The second inning saw Northwestern extend its lead as Allison Koontz tripled to right field and later scored on a wild pitch, making the score 2-0 after two innings.

Saint Xavier responded in the third inning with an RBI single to center field, narrowing the gap. In the sixth inning, the Raiders added an insurance run after Ava Gross singled and Koontz hit a sacrifice fly to right field, allowing Berkley Johannsen to score. Northwestern held their 3-1 through the seventh inning, securing the win.

Game Notes

• Northwestern tallied just four hits, but found offense through walks, hit-by-pitches, and five sacrifice hits.
• Allison Koontz logged the only RBI of the contest with an RBI triple.
• Koontz also pitched well, giving up five hits and one run over six innings pitched.
• Paige Kingery logged the lone stolen base of the contest.
• The Raiders pick up their first ranked win since April 21st, 2025.

Game 2: #17 NWC 8 - Dakota State 5
Win: Audrie Kohl (1-1)
Loss: M. Bricker (1-1)

How It Happened:
The scoring began in the second inning when Faith Kacmarynski doubled and later scored on a single by Paige Kingery, giving Northwestern a 1-0 lead.

In the third inning, the Raiders widened their lead as Kavri Van Kekerix doubled and scored on a sequence of steals and a passed ball involving Rylee Bomgaars. Bomgaars also stole home, and Allison Koontz contributed with a single that allowed another run to score. An error allowed Kacmarynski to cross home plate, putting Northwestern ahead 5-0 by the end of the third.

Dakota State responded in the fourth inning, scoring three runs, but the Raiders extended their lead in the fifth inning. Koontz hit a three-run homer, bringing in Kacmarynski and Ava Gross. By the end of the fifth, Northwestern led 8-4.

In the sixth inning, the Trojans added another run, but the Raiders' defense held strong, maintaining an 8-5 lead. The seventh inning was scoreless for both teams, securing the win for Northwestern.

Game Notes:

• Allison Koontz went 3/4 at the plate with a three-run homer, a double, and an RBI single.
• Koontz hit for the cycle across Friday's two games.
• Ava Gross notched two hits, her ninth game of the last ten with at least one hit.
• Northwestern showed off the offense with 10 hits, four doubles, and four stolen bases.
• Audrie Kohl picked up her first career win, pitching 3.2 innings with two strikeouts.
• Rylee Bomgaars has a stolen base in three of the last four games.

Up Next: The Raiders will face Mayville State on Saturday, February 21st, at 2 PM at the ASB Dome in Sioux Center. 

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