The Chadron State College softball team went 1-1 on Monday, with Northern State visiting for a non-conference doubleheader at CSC Softball Field.
The Eagles’ Kenzi Garner pitched a complete game shutout to win a pitching duel, 2-0, in a noon game, before the visitors exacted revenge in the bottom half of the doubleheader, winning 9-2.
Garner scattered seven hits, only allowing the Wolves more than a single baserunner on one occasion, as her defense backed her up with a highlight reel of big plays.
CSC scored both of its two runs – one earned, one unearned – in a fifth-inning push which saw second baseman Addison Spears walk, shortstop Jessica Strandlund reach safely on an error, and both left fielder Aliyah Rothstein and pinch-hitter Paige Edwards bat for singles.
None of the NSU baserunners advanced safely past second base, with a seventh-inning throw from right fielder Jessie Henchenski arriving to third baseman Lauren Zimmerman in time for a tag.
Garner improved her record to 3-4, while the loss dropped NSU’s Reagan Elrod to 2-4.
Meghan Anderson of Northern was every bit as brilliant in her turn in the pitching circle in game two. The Wolves’ ace pitched a complete-game two-hitter, limiting the Eagles to just one two-run homer in the second inning and a late-game single, both by Henchenski. Anderson recorded a personal best 16 strikeouts.
The Northern State bats woke up in the second game as well. The Wolves slapped out 12 base hits, including three homers, and walked eight times. They also recorded a sac bunt and a sac fly.
NSU was up 4-0 by the time Henchenksi’s second-inning dinger cut it to 4-2, but the Wolves were too hot in the batter’s box to be caught. They scored at least one run in each of the last four innings to finish up 9-2 after seven.
Tia Kohl took the loss for CSC after only one inning and three batters faced in the second. She fell to 0-10. Gabby Russell entered the circle in relief for five innings, and Peyton Propp closed in the seventh.
Anderson improved to 5-4 on the year.
CSC went to 4-20 after the split, while Northern is now 7-9 overall with no conference games yet played.
The Eagles next play in Denver at Regis University on Saturday and Sunday, back in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action.