Softball Sweeps Walsh 1-0 and 8-2

MIDLAND, MICH. – The Northwood University softball team picks up a pair of wins on Sunday afternoon (April 17) over Walsh University. NU earned a 1-0 win in eight innings for game one before earning an 8-2 win in game two.

The Timberwolves are now 16-16 on the year, 7-9 in the GLIAC. WU falls to 18-23 overall, 9-11 in the GLIAC.

Game one saw a lot of defensive action, keeping the game scoreless through seven innings. In the bottom of the eighth, with two runners on Riley Ostapowicz (Grand Rapids, Mich. / West Catholic) hit a drooper to short right field. Ashley Lynn (Garden City, Mich.) scored from second for a walk-off RBI for Ostapowicz to win 1-0.

For the game, NU out-hit Walsh 7-4 and both teams left five runners on base. Ostapowicz and Lynn each registered a pair of hits in the win. Vanessa Ewing (Maybee, Mich./Dundee) is now 5-8 after pitching all eight innings for the Timberwolves.

In game two, NU plated four runs in the fourth inning highlighted by an Ostapowicz triple with bases loaded. In the fourth with one runner on, Lauren Look (Pinconning, Mich. / Pinconning (Cleveland State) hit her second homerun of the year just inside the left field foul pole to take a 7-0 lead. The Cavaliers plated two in the bottom of the inning, cutting the lead 7-2. Sophomore Danielle Bartodziej (Westchester, Ill. / Nazareth Academy) pinch hit in the sixth and hit her first career homerun to put NU on top 8-2 for the win.

Bartodziej and Look each finished with a homerun, while Ostapowicz added a triple. Lynn went 2-4 with an RBI and a run scored, while Jessica Tostrud (Kenosha, Wisc./Mary D. Bradford) also crossed the plate twice. Casey Brown (Hudson, Ohio / Hudson) is now 6-1 in the circle, striking out five batters.

The Timberwolves will travel to Ferris State on Tuesday (April 19). The doubleheader is slated tostart at 3:30 p.m.