Game 1 - NW 7, WU 2 | Game 2 - NW 3, WU 2 | Season Stats

TOPEKA, Kan. -- The Washburn Lady Blues were swept in their MIAA-opening doubleheader falling to Northwest Missouri 7-2 and 3-2 at the Washburn Softball Complex. Washburn will be back in action on April 1 when they host Missouri Western. Saturday's scheduled DH with Nebraska-Omaha has been postponed to a later date.

In the first game, the Lady Blues (9-15, 0-2 MIAA) jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the second inning scoring two runs on back to back to back singles by Shelby Erickson, Lauren Himpel and Marisa Tetuan. Erickson scored on a single by Tetuan and Marissa Martin drew a bases loaded walk sending Lauren Himpel home. However Northwest scored five runs five runs in the top of the third inning sending nine batters to the plate while adding two unearned runs in the top of the seventh. The Bearcats' Jenna Creger retired 15 of the last 17 Washburn batters to finish the game striking out eight. Erickson had two of Washburn's four hits in the opener and Kelsie Novotny (5-6) took the loss striking out seven.

In the nightcap, the Bearcats scored two in the top of the first and added a solo run in the top of the third to take a 3-0 lead. Washburn added solo runs in the fourth and fifth to cut the lead to 3-2. In the fourth inning, Washburn's Britny Cushing hit a solo home run to left field and Alex Zordel drove in Lauren Himpel in the fifth inning with a single up the middle. Washburn lef the tying run on third in the bottom of the sixth inning but could not tie up the score and then Washburn went down in order in the seventh. Lauren Himpel had two hits as did Cushing. Lindsey Moore had her second double of the season. Danielle Fox (4-9) took the loss striking out seven.