TUCSON, Ariz.- The last day of Arizona sunshine saw Northwestern face some familiar opponents from their time in the ASB Dome. A big win 12-4 over Valley City State came first before the Raiders dropped an 11-6 contest to Dickinson State.

Game 1: NWC 12 - VCSU 4
Win: Audrie Kohl (4-2)
Loss: M. Hazelton (0-1)
Save: None

How It Happened:
In the second inning, Tatum Schmalbeck and Paige Kingery both walked, setting the stage for both Schmalbeck and Kingery to score unearned runs. 

During the third inning, the Raiders' offensive momentum continued. Ava Gross singled, and both she and Paige Kingery advanced on errors. Allison Koontz reached on an error, which brought in Gross and Kingery for unearned runs. Cassidy Gors then reached on another error, allowing Koontz to score. Northwestern extended its lead to 5-1.

In the fourth inning, Kavri Van Kekerix walked and eventually scored on an error, and Myla Murphy scored on a bases-loaded walk by Kingery to lead 7-1.

The fifth inning saw Valley City State close the gap with three runs, thanks to a two-RBI single and an RBI double. Northwestern responded by capitalizing on errors, allowing Van Kekerix and Murphy to score, maintaining their lead at 9-4.

In the sixth inning, Ava Gross reached on an error and scored on a single by Paige Kingery. Koontz and Kingery both scored on subsequent plays, solidifying Northwestern's win.

Game Notes

• Paige Kingery's magic number was two with two hits, two walks, two RBIs, in two at bats.
• Kingery also added three runs.
• Valley City State committed eight errors allowing all 12 unearned runs.
• Ava Gross and Kavri Van Kekerix both stole bases.
• Tatum Schmalbeck, Myla Murphy, and Gross all recorde one hit and scored two runs.

Game 2: NWC 6 - Dickinson State 11
Win: A. Jahner (2-1)
Loss: Mariah Renken (1-1)
Save: None

How It Happened:
Northwestern started strong in the first inning as Ava Gross singled to right field, and Tatum Schmalbeck reached first on an error. Paige Kingery's single brought in Gross, and Allison Koontz followed with a three-run homer. Sydney Jacobs extended the lead with an RBI single, but Dickinson State also scored three runs from a home run in the bottom of the first.

In the second inning, the Raiders were quiet, but the Blue Hawks capitalized on an error and a three-run homer, adding six more runs to take a commanding lead of 9-5. The fourth inning saw Dickinson State increase their advantage with a triple and subsequent runs from a groundout and a double, pushing the score to 11-5.

In the seventh inning, Northwestern added one more run, as Schmalbeck reached on an error and eventually scored on a walk to Jacobs. The game concluded with the Blue Hawks winning 11-6.

Game Notes

• Allison Koontz's lone hit of the contest was her third homer of the season.
• Ava Gross and Paige Kingery notched two hits each.
• Gross also stole two bases.
• Myla Murphy and Sydney Jacobs both got one hit.

Up Next: The Raiders will face Dakota Wesleyan on Wednesday, March 18, at 3 PM in Mitchell, South Dakota.

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