KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The Northland College Softball team dropped two games 5-0 to Carthage College and then 14-0 to Penn State Brandywine on day two of the Spring Games in Kissimmee, Fla. Freshman Mackenzie Backman led the team with three hits on the day.
 
Ariana Wilson made her fifth start of the season in the pitching circle and pitched three scoreless innings. In the third inning, Lenisa Tomasini threw out Clare Retter trying to steal, for the first time Carthage College has been caught stealing after doing it successfully 14 times.  
 
The Firebirds scored in the fourth inning after a leadoff triple. The LumberJills turned their first double play of the season to get out of the inning before more damage could be done. In the fifth Carthage doubled its lead after scoring on an error. Northland was threatening in the bottom half of the inning after Alison Murphy laid down a sac bunt to move Alissa Riddle into scoring position, but was left stranded after two strikeouts.
 
The Firebirds added three more runs in the following innings to win 5-0.
 
Northland had two hits in the game coming from Backman and Olivia Robatham. Elizabeth Peters and Kennedy Gruhlke reached base from a walk.
 
Wilson pitched 5.1 innings and had one strikeout, did not walk a batter, and gave up two earned runs. Miraya McFall finished the game with one strikeout, no walks, and two earned runs. Maddie Conway earned the win with a complete game shutout and seven ks.
 
Penn State Brandywine hit the ground running scoring five runs in the first inning. They continued their high-powered offense and held Northland to only two hits. Brandywine would win the contest 14-0.
 
Both of the hits came off the bat of freshman Backman who also stole her first base of the season. The Jills also drew two walks by Hailey Minnema and Gruhlke.
 
In the loss, McFall picked up four strikeouts in 2.1 innings. Wilson pitched the final 1.2 frames and did not give up an earned run. April Lewandowski earned the win after four scoreless innings and five strikeouts.
 
Northland concludes its time at the Spring Games on Thursday with a doubleheader against Hiram College at 10:15 a.m., and Alfred University at 12:30 p.m.
 
Northland College is an NCAA Division III institution located in Ashland, WI. The LumberJacks and LumberJills sponsor 14 varsity sports and compete in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference, Midwest Lacrosse Conference, and the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.