ST. PAUL - The Martin Luther College softball team closed its season with a pair of losses at University of Northwestern (Minn.) by the scores of 8-0 and 8-1 on Saturday.

UNW 8, MLC 0 (5 innings)

The Knights were unable to get enough going at the plate in an 8-0 loss in game one.

UNW jumped out front early with six runs in the first inning off MLC starting pitcher Rebecca Pruss (5-7), and then added two more runs in the runs in the third frame to complete the scoring.

The Knights were held to three hits, with Jessica Friebe, Kelli Doell and Pruss each recording one single apiece. MLC also struggled on defense, committing five errors that contributed two unearned runs to Pruss' total.

UNW 8, MLC 1

The Eagles completed the sweep with an 8-1 win in game two.

UNW once again jumped on top early with a pair of runs in the first inning, and then added at least one tally in the third, fourth and fifth innings off MLC starting pitcher Morgan Palubicki.

Palubicki (4-11) went the distance on the mound for MLC, allowing eight runs (seven earned) on 14 hits. 

Offensively, Amanda Schoch scored the lone MLC run in the fourth inning after reaching base with a walk and then stealing two bases. Doell led the MLC offense with two hits.

MLC finished the season 13-22 overall and 6-10 in the UMAC following the two defeats. UNW improved to 16-18 on the season and 12-4 in league play with the two wins.