KIRKLAND, Wash. – The Carroll College Softball team fell 2-0 in the opener but rallied to win the second game 6-2 in a Cascade Conference doubleheader Friday afternoon against Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington.
 
The Saints could not find an offensive rhythm despite a strong outing from pitcher Tess Eaton. The game was scoreless through five, and a half inning and Eaton had given up just one hit on the day before the Eagles got things going in the bottom of the sixth.
 
NU scored a pair of runs on two hits and an error. The Saints had one chance to answer in the top of the seventh. The leadoff batter was walked, but NU scored a double play in the next at-bat, and after a single by Courtney Cloud, the Eagles ended the game with a fielder's choice and earned the 2-0 win.
 
Four Saints tallied hits, and the Saints left seven batters on base in the game. Eaton allowed three hits and struck out five while walking six batters.
 
Northwest jump out early in the second game with a two-run home run in the bottom of the first, but the Carroll bats finally found a groove in the top of the second.
 
Jaylin Kenney singles to centerfield scoring Brittney Smith and Tianna Sell and Courtney Cloud scored on an error by the shortstop two at-bats later.
 
In the top of the third, a Kenney line drive was mishandled by the right fielder, allowing Brittney Smith and Megan Gipe to score to put Carroll up 5-2.
 
Allison Williams settled down after a frustrating first inning and allowed just one hit for the remainder of the game.
 
The Carroll offense added an insurance run in the top of the seventh when Sell singled to center field, and Kendall Mooney scored to make it 6-2.
 
The split preserved the chance for the Saints to earn the Conference series win in game one tomorrow. Carroll is now 12-13 overall and 8-9 in Cascade play. Northwest moves to 10-23 on the year and 5-15 in conference.
 
Williams pitched a complete game and gave up just two hits and struck out six.
 
Jaylin Kenney racked up two RBIs, and Tianna Sell was 2-2 with an RBI.
 
The Saints and Eagles meet again Saturday in another doubleheader with the first game beginning at 11 a.m. at Everest Park in Kirkland.  Live stats are available via the Northwest Athletics Website.