UNK Softball: Lopers Go 1-1 on Opening Day

Senior center fielder Eden McNally laced a two-out, walk-off triple to left center to help Nebraska Kearney beat Hillsdale (Mich.) College, 5-4, Tuesday night in Honolulu.

This game was part of the four-day Ulili Invitational. UNK dropped its season-opener earlier on Tuesday to Ferris (Mich.) State, 7-4. The Lopers get Wednesday off before two more games on both Thursday and Friday.

The Chargers (2-2) tied things up at four in the top of the seventh on the strength of a leadoff walk, single, sac bunt and ground out. Junior reliever Madeline Janssen (Earlham, Ia.) got a line out to keep the go-ahead run stranded. 

Senior first baseman Leah Jurgens (Crete H.S.) started a two-out rally in the bottom of the seventh with a bleeder down the line that tied hugged the chalk. While her counterpart bobbled the ball, Jurgens was almost at the bag, giving McNally (Castle Rock, Colo.) a chance. She promptly drove the first pitch she saw to deep left center.

Raymond sophomore third baseman Alyssa Fortik (2 for 4, one run & two RBI's) and California sophomore DP Gianna Galli (2 for 3, one run & one RBI) paced the offense) with Blair freshman Kalli Ulven having a strong collegiate debut. She picked up the win by allowing two earned on four hits and three walks in 6.0 innings of work. Fanning five, she coaxed the Chargers to hit five pop ups and ground out eight times.

Hillsdale had a three-run fourth that featured two of UNK's four errors. Nine-hole hitter and third baseman Anna Chellman went 2 for 3 with junior Mackenzi Maxon throwing the final 5.2 innings.

Stats for Ferris are currently incomplete, but the Bulldogs scored five times in the top of the first and then held off a Loper comeback. Sophomore Alexis Kozlowski had a two-run double in the inning with sophomore Emma Gillard adding a two-run dinger.

California sophomore Daniella Morillas settled down after the first inning with Galli (1 for 2, two RBI's) and Fortik (1 for 1, one run & one RBI) among the offensive leaders during the first half of the game. 

The Lopers face Lewis (Ill.) and Chaminade on Thursday.