Shawnee, Kan. — The Northwest Missouri State University softball team opened the Midwest College Classic in dominant fashion, earning a narrow 3-2 victory over Minnesota State University Moorhead before shutting out Minnesota State University, Mankato, 5-0, at the Mid America Sports Complex.
 
Northwest began the day's action with a 3-2 win over MSU Moorhead. The loss dropped the Panthers to 1-8. Northwest then picked up their second victory of the season against Minnesota State, 5-0. The Mavericks record now falls to 3-8. Northwest is 14-5 on the season.
 
NORTHWEST 3, MSU Moorhead 2
In the first game against MSU Moorhead, Jaeleigh Darnell put NW Missouri State on the board in the fourth inning with a solo home run. Emma Hague followed with a single and advanced to third on a wild pitch, but the inning concluded with no further scoring. NW Missouri State led 1-0 after four innings.
 
In the fifth inning, Mackenzie Mlnarik extended the lead with a solo home run. Alexis Brown walked but was caught stealing. Omara Love drew another walk and scored on Darnell's RBI double, pushing the lead to 3-0 after five innings.
 
The Dragons made a late push in the seventh with a two-run homer by Sami Macchiaroli, closing the gap. However, Northwest held on to secure the victory with a final score of 3-2.
 
Rien Moore pitched a complete game, securing the win for Northwest. Over 7 innings, Moore allowed 4 hits and 2 earned runs while striking out 5 batters, including a season-high total of 3 strikeouts looking. Moore faced 30 batters, threw 89 pitches, and recorded 55 strikes. Despite giving up a home run, Moore managed to maintain control, issuing 4 walks and collecting 9 fly-ball outs.
 
Mlnarik hit a home run and recorded one RBI, contributing to the scoring effort. Darnell tallied two hits, including a home run and a double, while driving in two runs. Moore pitched a complete game, striking out five batters over seven innings while allowing four hits.
 
NORTHWEST 5, MINNESOTA STATE 0
In the second game against Minnesota State, Jaeleigh Darnell scored the first run in the second inning for Northwest after Curstin Todd drew a walk with the bases loaded. The inning concluded with a 1-0 lead for Northwest.
 
In the third inning, Omara Love doubled to center field and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Darnell, extending the lead to 2-0.
 
The Bearcats broke the game open in the sixth inning. Sara Farlow singled, and Timber Wilson followed with a two-run home run. Avery Mayberry later scored on a single by Love, increasing the advantage to 5-0.
 
The game ended with Northwest maintaining its 5-0 lead, sealing the victory.
 
Streigle delivered a complete game shutout for the Bearcats, pitching 7 innings with no runs allowed against the Mavericks. Streigle permitted 6 hits and issued 3 walks while striking out 5 batters in the outing. The performance included 10 groundouts and 4 flyouts, effectively managing the 28 batters faced. This outing marked Streigle's sixth win of the season and her 13th career shutout, tying her for the 5th most shutouts in school history.
 
Love contributed significantly with two hits, including a double, and scored one run while driving in another. Wilson powered the offense by hitting a home run, totaling two hits and two RBIs during the game. Emma Hague added two hits in three at-bats, providing a steady presence in the lineup.
 
Next up for the 'Cats, Northwest softball will finish out the final day of the Midwest College Classic in Shawnee, Kan. on Saturday, Feb. 28 by taking on Quincy University at 12:20 p.m., with a game against Concordia University, St. Paul to finish out the classic at 5:00 p.m.