Feb. 23, 2013
Northwestern Box Score
UNLV Box Score
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. - Meghan Harman launched a two-out home run in the bottom of the seventh to send play into extra innings, but Northwestern would eventually score four runs in the top of the ninth, sending the LMU softball team to a 7-3 loss Saturday at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic. The Lions followed the tough loss by bouncing back to close out tournament play with a 4-1 victory over UNLV.
In their tournament finale, LMU (4-6) had its best offensive game, collecting nine hits, including two each by Sterling Shuster and Nicole Clowdus. Seven total Lions had at least one hit and four players knocked in one run apiece.
LMU scored twice in the third, once in the fourth and once in the fifth. The Rebels managed one run in the top of the fourth when Stefany Valentino led off with a bunt single, advanced to second on a Jaexie Balilea single, advanced to third on a sac bunt and scored on a Tayler Van Acker single up the middle.
Dana Waldusky picked up the complete-game victory for the Lions, scattering five hits while fanning five in seven innings of work.
After a quick three up, three down for both teams in the first inning against Northwestern, the Lions manufactured a pair of runs in the home half of the second to take an early 2-0 lead.
Olivia Alvarez led off the inning with a single through the left side and Stephanie Crist drew a full-count walk. Shuster laid down a sacrifice bunt, advancing the runners into scoring position. But it would not take a hit to send the two across home plate as a pair of illegal pitches by Northwestern's Kristen Wood allowed Alvarez and Crist to score.
Molly Medeiros was superb through six innings in the circle for LMU, allowing just two Wildcats to reach beyond first base. But Northwestern rallied in the top of the seventh beginning with an Andrea DiPrima leadoff single. Edwards followed with another single, and then with one out, Tonz sent the 2-2 pitch to deep left field, sending two runs home. Meghan Lambert then gave Northwestern the go-ahead run with an RBI-double before relief pitcher Waldusky was able to record the final out of the inning.
Harman responded quickly for LMU, as her second home run of the season sent the Lions to their first extra-inning affair of the year. But it was all Wildcats late as Lambert singled in the go-ahead run for the second time on the night. Northwestern tacked on two more runs on passed balls and one on a Duehr RBI-single.
LMU returns to action on Tuesday, hosting an exhibition doubleheader against the Japan Toyota Professional Team. First pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m. at Smith Field.
-GO LIONS-
