April 17, 2007

ORANGE CITY, Iowa - After a 13-day layoff, the Raider softball team returned to the field Monday night as they defeated Hastings in a GPAC doubleheader, 2-1 and 9-5. With the wins, NWC improves to 7-3 in the GPAC, good for fourth place in the standings.

Megan McHugh was masterful in the Raiders' 2-1 victory over the Broncos. The senior lefthander gave up just three singles and one run in seven innings to improve to 10-4 on the season.

She walked two and struck out nine, which increased her career strikeout total to 395 and makes her the all-time career leader at Northwestern.

McHugh broke the old record (393) set by Barb Bahrke from 1977-1980. Offensively, Tina Jacobsma went 2-3 and Laura Bahrke hit her first home run of the season to lead the Raiders five-hit attack.

In game two, Northwestern scored seven runs in the fifth inning to record the 9-5, come-from-behind win. Lizz Swanson led NWC at the plate, going 3-4 with a home run and three RBIs.

Brandi Redel added two hits, including a home run, with two runs scored and two RBIs while Melanie Fisher went 2-3 with a run. Laura Calvert pitched the first five innings to earn her seventh win of the season. She allowed six hits, three earned runs and struck out seven. McHugh pitched the final two innings in relief of Calvert.