Feb. 4, 2005
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Northwestern began its season on the right foot Friday afternoon at the Pepsi Arizona Softball Classic, defeating New Mexico State, 5-2, in the first of two contests for the Wildcats on the opening day of the 2005 campaign.
Junior Jamie Dotson (Santa Ana, Calif./Foothill) went 1-for-2 with a home run and four RBIs -- her best career single-game total. Sophomore Garland Cooper (Mission Viejo, Calif./Santa Margarita Catholic) went 2-for-2 with a pair of singles and two runs scored for the Wildcats.
NU jumped out to an early lead with three runs in the top of the first inning on a three-run blast from Dotson, the second of her career.
New Mexico State (0-2) would fight back for two unearned runs in the bottom of the third to make the score 3-2. NU overcame five errors in the game while NMS made none.
Northwestern added some insurance in the top of the sixth when Cooper led off with a single followed by a double for junior Kristen Amegin (West Sacramento, Calif./Elk Grove). Freshman Darcy Sengewald (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln Way East) replaced Amegin on the basepaths, then advanced when a sacrifice fly by Dotson scored Cooper.
Freshman Stephanie Churchwell (Lake Forest, Calif./El Toro) followed with her first-career single and RBI to score Sengewald and give the Wildcats a 5-2 victory.
Junior Courtnay Foster (Tucson, Ariz./Sahuaro) went the distance in the circle to earn the win in her hometown. She allowed two unearned runs on four hits and a walk while striking out six.
Northwestern (1-0) returns to action tonight, Feb. 4, at 8 p.m. CT against Tulsa.