by Scott DCamp
Sports Editor
What do the numbers 10, 8, 12 and 9 have in common? They are the first inning offensive totals of the Northland Softball team during its trip to the Iron Range to play double headers against Hibbing and Vermilion.
Northland swept the four-game set without so much as a close game. The Pioneers averaged 9.75 runs in the first inning of each game and 18.5 per game overall, while giving up less than three runs per game in the four-game set.
The Pioneers defeated the Cardinals 22-1 in five innings, in game one Friday in Keewatin, before settling in for the sweep with a 16-7 win in game two that was also called after five innings due to the eight-run rule. Saturday, the Pioneers kept the momentum going with a pair of dominant five-inning wins over the Ironwomen by scores of 19-0 and 17-3.
The lopsided wins gave Northland a chance get pitching reps for Mariah Stueness. The freshman from Norman County East/Ulen-Hitterdal started game one in centerfield but she pitched a scoreless fifth inning to close out the 22-1 win. She stayed in the game to start game two and went the distance, allowing seven runs, five of which were earned, in five innings of work, with six hits, three walks and two strikeouts.
After picking up the dominant win in game one against Hibbing, freshman Kalee Wall was back on the pitching rubber for game one against Vermilion Saturday. Wall struck out 10 Ironwomen and allowed just two hits in her five innings of work to even her season record at 7-7.
With the chance at a sweep on the line, Northland Head Coach Paul Peterson again turned to Stueness for game two. Stueness allowed two earned runs in her five innings of work as the Pioneers secured the 17-3 win.
Offensive leaders on the weekend for Northland inlude Sade Westbrook, who went 9-for-13 with a home run, a double and eight RBIs; Jessie Nichols, who went 4-for-8, with a home run and eight RBIs; and McKaila Salway, who went 8-for-9 with a home run and six RBIs.
In addition to a strong pitching debut, Stueness went 4-for-nine at the plate, with two doubles, five runs and four RBIs.
Game 1 …………………………….r h e
NCTC…………….. 10 20 07 – 22 19 0
HCC…………………0 00 01 – 1 3 0
Pitching – (NCTC) Kalee Wall – W (6-7) 4 IP, 3 hits, 1 run, 1 earned run, 0 walks, 6 strikeouts; Mariah Stueness 1 IP, 0 hits, 0 runs, 0 earned runs, 0 walks, 0 strikeouts.
Offensive highlights – (NCTC) Sade Westbrook 4/4, double, 4 runs, 2 RBI; McKaila Salway 3/4, 2 runs, 2 RBI; Mariah Stueness 3/4, 2 doubles, 3 runs, 2 RBI.
Game 2…………………………… r h e
NCTC………………. 803 32 – 16 11 3
HCC………………….030 40 – 7 6 0
Pitching – (NCTC) Mariah Stueness – W (1-1) 5 IP, 6 hits, 7 runs, 5 earned runs, 3 walks, 2 strikeouts.
Offensive highlights – (NCTC) Sade Westbrook 3/4, 2 runs, 2 RBI; Jessie Nichols 2/3, double, 2 runs, RBI; McKaila Salway 2/2, home run, 3 runs, 3 RBI.
Game 3…………………………….. r h e
NCTC.. ……………. 12 43 00 – 19 15 2
VCC………………….. 0 00 00 – 0 2 0
Pitching – (NCTC) Kalwee Wall – W (7-7) 5 IP, 2 hits, 0 runs, 0 earned runs, 0 walks, 10 strikeouts.
Offensive highlights – (NCTC) Bailey Greene 3/3, walk, 3 runs, 2 RBI; Haley Price 3/4, double, walk, 3 runs, RBI; Kelsey Landman 3/4, double, 2 runs, 3 RBI.
Game 4 ……………………………r h e
NCTC……………….. 950 30 – 17 12 1
VCC……………………003 00 – 3 2 0
Pitching – (NCTC) Mariah Stueness – W (2-1) 5 IP, 2 hits, 3 runs, 2 earned runs, 3 walks.
Offensive highlights – (NCTC) McKaila Salway 3/3, 2 runs, RBI; Sade Westrbrook 2/4, home run, 2 runs, 4 RBI; Josephine Davis 2/2, 3 runs, RBI.