The Charger softball team dropped a GPAC doubleheader to Northwestern Wednesday evening in Orange City, Iowa.

Game One – L, 18-3

The Chargers struck first in the opening inning. Elizabeth Austin worked a leadoff walk and advanced into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt before Leah Montes delivered an RBI double to the right-center gap to plate the game's first run.

Northwestern answered with three runs in the bottom half to take control early. Briar Cliff continued to battle in the second, as Brooke Oppliger led off with a single. After a wild pitch moved pinch runner Madi Keon into scoring position, Montie Richtier laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance her to third. Shelby Blankenship followed with an RBI double to cut the deficit to one.

Sydney Mennenga and Sydney Ebel each recorded hits in the contest, with Ebel also driving in a run.

Game Two – L, 8-0

The Chargers threatened early in game two, beginning in the second inning when Mennenga singled with one out and later stole second to move into scoring position. However, Northwestern escaped the inning without damage.

In the third, Austin recorded a two-out double to give Briar Cliff another opportunity, but the Red Raiders again worked out of the jam to keep the game scoreless.

Northwestern broke through in the bottom of the third with five runs and added three more in the fourth to pull away.

Lauryn Mattox and Madi Keon each tallied a hit for the Chargers.

Briar Cliff falls to 12-24 overall and 2-10 in GPAC play. The Chargers return home to Historic Hubbard Park on Friday to host Dakota Wesleyan, with first pitch of game one scheduled for 3 p.m., followed by game two.

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