No. 4 Wildcats Defeat No. 5 Northwestern Ohio, 2-0 in NAIA Opening Round

SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – Notching their 30^th win of the season, the Baker softball team picked up a strong win over Northwestern-Ohio on Monday afternoon to advance to the second round of the NAIA Opening Round.

Kira Baker was called to the circle in game one and pitched a gem. Baker allowed just four hits in the game, while striking out 12 batters which is her second most strikeouts in a game this season.

Offensively, the Wildcats had four hits in the game with four different players collecting one hit. Ashlee Jackman drove in the team's only RBI in the game, going 1-for-2 in the game.

It didn't take long for Baker to get on the scoreboard, scoring in the first inning. After a leadoff walk and an error by the Racers, a Greiner single put runners on first and third. Greiner then stole second to put two runners in scoring position. After a dropped third strike and a throw down to first base, Savannah Bray hustled down the third base line and avoided the tag to give Baker the early 1-0 lead.

Again, in the bottom of the fourth, the inning started with a walk to Riley Phillips. After a sacrifice bunt from Reese Curry moved Phillips to second, Ashlee Jackman doubled to right-center to extend the Baker lead to 2-0 with just three innings to play.

A couple of walks from Baker in the top of the sixth saw the Racers load the bases with two outs, but Kira Baker buckled down and struck out the final batter of the inning to get out of the jam. Baker then allowed just one hit in the top of the seventh but finished it off with her 12^th strikeout to give Baker the 2-0 win.

With the win, the Wildcats are now 30-17 on the season. They advance in the Opening Round bracket and will take on the host, No. 1 Northwestern at 5 p.m., on Monday, May 12, in Sioux Center, Iowa.

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