NORFOLK – Eastyn Schroeder continued her hot streak at the plate, driving in eight run on four hits as Norfolk softball split Thursday’s doubleheader with Lincoln Southeast, winning Game One 14-1 before falling 17-13 in Game Two.
Lincoln Southeast would get the scoring started in Game One, as Raina Waller drove in a run on a single to right field.
That lead wouldn’t last, as Norfolk flipped the game with a seven-run bottom of the first. In the inning, Brooklyn Branz drove in a run on a single; Schroeder had her second bases-clearing double in three games, driving in three runs; Bella Hupke’s single to center drove in two runs; and Kenzie Zerbie singled home Hupke.
Norfolk would extend their lead to 10-1 after a Schroeder single and a throwing error before the Panthers tacked on four runs in the bottom of the third thanks to RBI doubles by Hupke and Jenna Allen.
Taya Frederick earned the win in the pitcher’s circle after the starter surrendered one run on four hits with four strikeouts.
Syndey Kjeldgaard opened the game for Lincoln Southeast, allowing nine runs (eight earned) on eight hits with three walks and no strikeouts.
Norfolk totaled 13 hits in the contest, with Allen, Hupke, Zerbie, Schroeder and Peterson each having a multi-hit effort.
In Game Two, Norfolk jumped out to the lead in the bottom of the first when Brooklyn Branz singled home a run, Schroeder blasted a center-field grand slam, and Brynn Sterud drove in a run on a double.
Lincoln Southeast would tie the game in the top of the second thanks to a double by Kjeldgaard, a single by Waller and a single by Avery Eklund.
The game would flip on its head in the bottom of the second as Norfolk scored five runs on three hits to take an 11-6 lead. The biggest blow came on a two-RBI single by Frederick.
Lincoln Southeast would tie the game once again in the top of the third thanks to three straight RBI singles before Norfolk retook the lead in the bottom of the third vian an error.
Lincoln Southeast would take their first lead of the game at 13-12 when Addilynn Foley popped a two-run homer to center field.
Norfolk was able to tie the game in the bottom of the fourth thanks to an RBI groundout by Peterson, but Lincoln Southeast would tack on two runs each in the sixth and seventh innings to escape with the 17-13 win.
Carlie Brandt stepped in the circle first for Norfolk in Game Two, allowing 10 runs on 10 hits with four walks and eight strikeouts in five innings worked.
Shelby Blankley led things off in the circle for Lincoln Southeast, surrendering seven runs on five hits with three walks in just one inning worked.
Despite the loss, Norfolk amassed 14 hits in the contest, with Allen, Schroeder, Branz, Peterson, Sterud, and Liberty Nohr each producing two hits for the Panthers.
Norfolk will be back in action for the LPS Invite today, with their first game set for 4 p.m. against Columbus.Â
