Softball splits first day at Getterman Classic
Natalie Kozlowski/North Texas Athletics
Reece Waddell | Senior Staff Writer
Mean Green softball got back in the win column on Friday morning, splitting its doubleheader at the first day of the Getterman Classic in Waco, Texas. In the tournament’s opening game, North Texas (3-4) handed Northwestern State University (6-1) its first loss of the season.
North Texas 9, Northwestern State University 5
The Mean Green were active on the base paths to start the game, scoring the first run on a double steal in the top of the first. Junior infielder Kelli Schkade continued her hot start to the season, extending her hitting streak to six and what would later be seven games.
“Kelli has been a catalyst for getting our offense going,” head coach Tracey Kee said. “Anytime you have a leadoff batter driving balls out of the ballpark, clutch hitting, it’s really setting a tone for our offense.”
North Texas also got a complete game from junior pitcher Jessica Elder. She went 7.0 innings and allowed five runs on nine hits. Elder got out of a jam several times, including striking out a Northwestern batter to end a threat with runners at second and third in the bottom of the second.
The Mean Green plated two more runs in the third inning courtesy of a solo home run from senior second baseman Karly Williams and an RBI double from freshman Harley Perella.
After getting two more runs in the top of the sixth, Schkade blew the game wide open in the top of the seventh with a grand slam over the left field wall that put North Texas up 9-2. She finished the contest 3-for-5 with four RBIs.
“I can’t do it without my teammates being on base,” Schkade said. “I just have a different mindset going into the box. I’m more confident.”
Liberty University 1, North Texas 0
In a classic pitcher’s duel, neither side was able to figure out the other for the majority of the game.
Each team had one hit entering the fifth inning, with junior pitcher Stacy Underwood on the bump for the Mean Green. Liberty (3-4) got its first and only run of the game when it flared a bloop single to score a runner from third.
“It’s frustrating, especially because the one run was because of my walk,” Underwood said.
North Texas was unable to solve Lady Flames pitcher Chase Cassady, managing just three hits over 7.0 innings. Despite this, the Mean Green had a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh, but stranded a runner on second base to end the game.
“We had our opportunities,” Kee said. “We were still in it all the way up to that last pitch. Credit to Liberty’s pitcher. She did a nice job.”
Next up: North Texas takes on No. 21 Baylor University on Saturday, Feb. 20. First pitch is set for 12:30 p.m.
Featured Image: North Texas split their double header at the Getterman Classic. Courtesy | Natalie Kozlowski/North Texas Athletics
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