Northeastern takes game two

By Mike Pilosof

Photo by Adam Shrimplin

Sterling, CO-Just like in game two on Wednesday, Garden City could not repeat their magical comeback formula that led them to victory in the opener.

Maddy Rule went 3-for-3 at the plate, Stacy Bott limited the Broncbusters to just four hits, and Northeastern earned a split with a 12-1 run-rule victory over Garden City in game two Friday afternoon at Mason Field.

The Plainsmen went to work in the first, turning two errors and a walk into a 5-0 lead. Rule then capped the frame with an RBI base hit, one that she snuck past the glove of shortstop McKayla Encinias, putting Northeastern up 6-0.

The home team did more damage in the third. Rule drew a bases-loaded walk, Mia Andereson added an RBI groundout, the Broncbusters committed another error, and Bailey Deal drove one in on a fielder's choice, and the Plainsmen had a 10-0 advantage.

Garden City's lone highlight of the day came in their half of the fourth when Audrey Graf smashed her second homer of the season. But other than that, it was all Northeastern, who tallied one more run in the fourth when third baseman Ellie Walters bobbled an Anderson ground ball to make it 12-1.

Broncbuster starter, Megan Walz, lasted just 2 1/3 innings, allowing 10 runs on nine hits. She walked three while her defense behind her committed four errors. Meantime Graf continued her early-season tear, extending her hitting streak to six games.

Rule drove in two runs for Northeastern, and Carly Rafferty collected two hits.