The fastpich softball team started the 2002 season with two close losses to Northwestern-Roseville, 8-5 and 6-5, at the Plymouth Dome last Tuesday.

The Scots started off the first game with two runs in the top of the first inning. After Kathleen Sprole ’05 singled with one out, Northwestern made two errors on a ground ball by Lisa Bauer ’04 to allow Sprole to score. Bauer was later driven in by a base hit from Cristin Beach ’02.

Northwestern bounced right back and scored three runs off of three hits in the bottom half of the inning against Macalester pitcher Heidi Erickson ’04.

The Scots tied the game at 3 in the third inning when Bauer was once again driven home by Beach, but again, Northwestern responded on offense. In the bottom of the third, Erika Hudson hit a two-out, two-run homer to make the score 5-3.

Northwestern pulled away in the bottom of the fourth, stringing together four consecutive hits with one out to drive in two runs. Hudson drew a walk with two outs and the bases loaded to make the score 8-3 before Erickson struck out Liz Kurtz to end the inning.

The Scots put together a rally in the fifth inning, as Sprole led off the inning with a single and then stole second with one out. Beach crushed a home run to left center to make the score 8-5 with one out, but that was as close as Macalester would come.

In the second game of the twinbill, the Scots once again jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first. After Licinia McMorrow ’04 grounded out to shortstop to start the inning, Chris Soma ’04 and Bauer both reached base with singles. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch, and Beach took advantage of having two runners in scoring position with a single, and a throwing error by shortstop Alicia Beedle allowed Soma and Bauer to score.

Northwestern broke out in the bottom of the second with a four-run inning. Erin Moline drove home the first run on a single with two outs. A wild pitch by Adrienne Dorn ’03 allowed Beth Leasman to score. Beedle and Sarah Alberhasky hit back-to-back doubles to add two more runs and make the score 4-2 in favor of Northwestern.

With the bases load and no outs in the bottom of the third, Jen Bergren scored on a passed ball to make the score 5-2. After Erica Dabelow drew a walk on a wild pitch, Leasman scored from third to increase the lead to 6-2.

Macalester, fought hard to come back and fell just one run short in the end. Miriah Zajic and Beach were successful on the double steal with two outs in the top of the fourth to put runners on second and third for Dorn. Dorn singled to drive in Beach, but Zajic was thrown out at home by a relay throw from Beedle to keep the score at 6-3.

With two outs in the top of the fifth, Bauer singled to center, advancing Narith Ol ’03 to third base. Beach drove Ol in with a single, and Caitlin Adams ’04 singled to score Bauer, making the score 6-5. The rally ended when Elisha Montoya ’05 grounded out to shortstop.

Beach finished both games hitting 6-for-6 with four RBI. Bauer hit 3-for-5 on Tuesday and scored four runs.

Macalester finished 3-19 in the MIAC last season, but head coach Tina Johnson’s team is optimistic about a much improved season in 2002. Leading the way for the Scots is Beach, an All-MIAC selection at first base last season. Beach is the only senior on the young 17-player roster, which also includes just three juniors.

Erickson and Dorn, who struck out six and five batters respectively, are expected to lead the pitching staff this season.

Macalester continues its season with a doubleheader against Wisconsin-River Falls at the Plymouth Dome on Monday at 2 p.m.