Softball Splits Doubleheader At Ashland

ASHLAND, OHIO – The Northwood University softball team split a pair of games at Ashland Monday afternoon (April 1). The Timberwolves defeated fell 8-5 in game one – despite leading 5-0 in the top of the fourth. NU rallied to top the Eagles 9-6 in game two.

Northwood is now 12-8 overall, 3-1 in the GLIAC. Ashland stands at 13-8 overall, 2-2 in the GLIAC.

Game one saw Northwood get off to a good start, as Ashley Lynn (Garden City, Mich.) led of the game with a double later to score on a Sam Zaborowski (Taylor, Mich./Cabrini) RBI. The Timberwolves extended the lead to four in top of the third. Zaborowski earned her second RBI of the day before Stacey Klonowski (Canton, Mich./Plymouth) hit a two-run double to score both Lindsay Obremski (DuBois, Pa./Dubois Area) and Zaborowski. Northwood plated the fifth run of the game in the top of the fourth before the Eagles rallied back in the bottom of the inning, tying the game at 5-5. Northwood would not score the remainder of the game, as Ashland plated three additional runs in the final two innings for the win. Zaborowski and Klonowski each finished with a double and two RBI's. Vanessa Ewing (Dundee, Mich.) and Maddison Sebald (Bay City, Mich./Western) surrendered 11 hits against 31 batters in the loss.

After Ashland got on the board in the top of the third inning, the Timberwolves quickly responded with intensity. With one out and bases loaded, Zaborowski stepped to the plate for what would be one of the most memorable moments playing at Northwood. Trailing 1-0, Zaborowski hit her fourth homerun of the season and first grand slam of her career over the left field fence taking the lead 4-1. The Timberwolves would not look back, as Jessica Tostrud (Kenosha, Wisc. / Mary D. Bradford) followed close behind with an RBI triple to center field. Tostrud shortly crossed the plate on a sacrifice bunt from Lauren Look (Pinconning, Mich) to claim a 6-1 advantage. NU's Obremski and Zaborowski each earned an RBI in the fourth for an 8-1 lead before the Eagles plated three runs in the top of the fifth. Senior Natalie Lampman (Madison Heights, Mich. / Bishop Foley) took it up on herself to respond in the bottom of the inning with her third homerun of the season over center field. Zaborowski went 2-4 with a grand slam and five RBI's, while Lampman hit .667 (one homer, one double). Obremski reached base three times, scoring twice and recorded an RBI. Casey Brown (Hudson, Ohio) earned her fifth win of the season, recording six complete innings pitching against 33 batters. Brown struck out three and allowed nine hits. Kayla Gust (Port Hope, Mich.) recorded the final three outs after just three batters.

Northwood's home opener is scheduled for Friday (April 4) as the Timberwolves will take on Ohio Dominican. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 3:30 p.m.