(Story by: Zach Koenig)
Morris, MN—The University of Minnesota-Morris softball team struggled to maintain their recent good habits on offense on Tuesday, losing 13-3 and 9-1 to Northwestern.
In the first contest, Cougar starting pitcher Stephanie Wilson (So. Detroit Lakes, MN) could not get on track early, as Northwestern scored ten runs in the first four innings.
Facing the large deficit, UMM managed to put two runs on the board in the fourth inning when Bailey Jelle (Jr. Lakeville, MN) reached on a Northwestern throwing error, Heather Briese (Fr. Fergus Falls, MN) doubled, and Heidi Miller (Fr. Eden Valley, MN) singled.
After Northwestern runners crossed home plate three more times in the fifth inning, Minnesota-Morris scored once more in their half of the fifth on consecutive singles from Diane Blommel (Fr. Long Prairie, MN), Jelle, and Briese.
Blommel (3-3, 1 R) and Briese (2-3, 1 R) led the Cougar offense, along with Jelle (1-2, 1 R) and Miller (1-2, 1 RBI).
Wilson (4-5) went the distance for UMM, allowing 12 hits and seven earned runs in five innings while walking five and striking out four.
In the second game, Blommel led of the Cougar first inning with a triple, then scored on Jelle’s ground out.
That was all the offensive UMM could muster against Northwestern hurler Amanda Rodgers the rest of the way.
Against UMM starter Alaina Benson (Sr. Clinton, MN), however, Northwestern scored one run in the second inning, two in the third, and six in the fifth en route to the 9-1 victory.
Benson (1-1) allowed 12 hits and seven earned runs in her five innings of work.
Miller (2-2) and Blommel (1-2, 1 R) provided the only Cougar hits during the contest.
The two losses dropped the Cougars to 7-16 on the season and 6-12 in UMAC play.
 |  |
| Minnesota-Morris | 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Northwestern | 13 | 12 | 3 |
| Game 1 |
Box Score
| |
| Minnesota-Morris | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| Northwestern | 9 | 12 | 0 |
| Game 2 |
Box Score
