Bearcat softball splits with Rockhurst

By Phil Cobb | February 25, 2015 |

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Northwest softball team split a double-header with Rockhurst on Tuesday. The Bearcats took the first game, 5-0, with junior Sarah Baldwin throwing a complete game shutout. Rockhurst came from behind to win the nightcap, 6-4.

Baldwin improved to 2-0 on the season behind her three-hit shutout performance while also striking out a pair.

Senior first baseman Stephanie Mark was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with an RBI and freshman catcher Jessica Rawie homered and drove in two on a pair of extra base hits. Freshman shortstop Rebecca Maher and junior left fielder Kendle Schieber each drove in a run, as well.

The Bearcats scored three runs in the third inning to take the only lead they would need as Maher drove home Schieber with a single, Rawie stole home and Mark drove home Maher.

Rawie added her first collegiate home run to straightaway center to give the Cats a little insurance in the top of the seventh.

Northwest struck first in game two, as well, picking up a pair of runs in the first inning as Mark drove in the first run with a double and scored on an error.

Rockhurst tied the game with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning off senior Northwest starter Abbie Vitosh, who threw four innings.

Sophomore center fielder Baylee Scarbrough led off the second with a triple and scored when junior designated hitter Madison Jones launched a two-run shot over the left center field wall.

The Hawks added single runs in the fourth and fifth innings to tie it up at 4-4 and took the lead in the sixth on a two-run single by Kelsey Dean.

Northwest got its first two batters aboard in the top of the seventh, but couldn’t bring them around to score to fall to 2-4 on the year.

Junior Paige Blythe, who came on in relief of Vitosh, took the loss after giving up three runs in 1.1 innings.

Mark, Scarbrough and Rawie each recorded a pair of hits in the nightcap.

Northwest will take part in the Teri Mathis-Zenner Memorial Tournament this weekend in Joplin, playing Illinois-Springfield and William Jewell Saturday, Feb. 28 and Truman State and Drury on Sunday, March 1.