ST. PAUL - The Martin Luther College softball team lost both games of its doubleheader at University of Northwestern-St. Paul by the scores of 4-0 and 5-3 on Saturday.

UNW 4, MLC 0

The Eagles opened the day by winning a pitchers' duel by the score of 4-0.

MLC starting pitcher Morgan Palubicki (2-6) and reliever Rebecca Pruss combined to hold UNW to only three hits in seven innings, but the Eagles took advantage of two MLC errors and four walks to scratch across four runs. 

The Knights were also held to three hits, as Rebecca Doering, Megan Lemke and Jodi Halvorson each recorded one hit apiece. MLC's best scoring opportunity came in the bottom of the seventh inning when it loaded the bases and brought the tying run to the plate with two outs, but the Eagles were able to get out of the jam to secure the win.

Palubicki took the loss on the mound for MLC after allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits and one walk.

UNW 5, MLC 3

The Knights were unable to complete a late comeback in a 5-3 loss in game two.

The Eagles built a 5-0 run heading into the bottom half of the sixth inning, but MLC cut the deficit to two runs thanks to a bases loaded two-run single by Samantha Schoch, followed by an RBBI single by Doering. That would be as close as the Knights would get, however, as they went down in order in the seventh inning to close the game.

Pruss (1-7) started the game and allowed only two runs (one earned) on four hits in four innings.

MLC fell to 3-13 on the season and 2-6 in UMAC play with the two defeats. UNW improved to 18-12 overall and 7-3 in league play with the sweep.

The Knights will return to action tomorrow (Sunday, April 22) when they travel to St. Scholastica for a doubleheader scheduled to start at 11 a.m.