Lady Highlanders pummel Plainfield in first round, 19-9

WINSTED — Northwestern’s softball squad rode their regular season success into the first round of the playoffs, where they handed Plainfield a 19-9 thrashing at home on Tuesday, May 31.Highlander starting pitcher Brittany Martel has had an exceptional season and kicked off the post-season by ringing up her first strikeout of the day. Plainfield starter Shannon Gowin struggled early, but quickly made it apparent that she had every intention of turning the afternoon into a fierce pitching duel. Northwestern opened up their offense quickly, taking an early lead with the help of a long rip down the third base line for a two-run homer by Highlander Liz Newkirk. Northwestern held a four-run lead heading into the top of the third, after another stellar inning by Martel kept Plainfield scoreless through two.Martel showed signs of trouble in the third, coughing up consecutive walks. Plainfield capitalized and drove a long fly double to bring in their first run of the day. Martel responded with a strikeout, but Plainfield fired back with a bunt single, some opportunistic base running and a base hit RBI. Martel continued to battle on the mound and dropped the next batter on strikes, but gave up a long line into the outfield that brought in another two runs and tied the game at four apiece.Things began looking quite ugly for the Highlanders when back-to-back base hits in the top of the fourth were brought in on a bad throw off a bunt attempt. A wild pitch provided room for another runner to score, but Martel remained composed and continued racking up strikeouts to close out the inning with Plainfield ahead 7-4.The Highlanders’ ace hurler provided some much needed offense to kick off the bottom of the fourth by slapping out a base hit. Nicole Bianchi drove a long shot into right, which with the help of the wind and intense sunlight created problems for the fielder, allowing Bianchi to reach second easily. Casey Burke put up a scrappy plate appearance, and after working a hefty pitch count, found a look she could drop into the outfield to drive in two runs. Kristyn Ryan kept the Highlander offense alive by knocking out a double and driving in the tying run. Northwestern flaunted some opportunistic base running of their own, stealing two more runs off wild pitches. The Highlanders regained the lead pulling ahead 9-7 heading into the fifth.Junior Kim Newkirk relieved Martel in the top of the fifth and was able to work a strong inning, tallying two strike outs while giving up only one run.Martel’s continued efforts at the plate initiated another big offensive inning in the bottom of the fifth, when another infield slap earned her a base hit. Bianchi remained hot and drove a long two-run homer of her own to bring the Highlanders’ lead to 11-8. Base hits from Burke and Sam Cilenti, as well as a walk from Ryan, set up Liz Newkirk for the sacrifice fly. Kim Newkirk put herself on with a base hit, and a hard-hit grounder by Jessica Seymour drilled Gowin to bring in another run. Gowin was regrettably injured on the play and was replaced by Rachel Rose to finish out the game. Northwestern scored on wild pitch, then a base hit from Martel drove in another run. The Highlanders continued to build upon their colossal lead with the fourth wild pitch steal of the day and a two-RBI double by Nicole Silveira. Northwestern now held a 18-8 lead over Plainfield heading into the top of the sixth.Northwestern’s offense remained ruthless until the end, as Liz Newkirk blasted her second home run of the afternoon. Seymour poured on a triple, but Planfield was able to get out of the inning with only one more run surrendered. The Highlanders closed out the game and claimed a first-round tournament victory, trampling Plainfield with a final score of 19-9.Northwestern kept their bats lively throughout the affair and found strong hitting efforts throughout their lineup. Bianchi went three for four with a double, a homerun and a walk. Burke went three for four as well, chalking up a sacrifice bunt, a double and four RBIs. Liz Newkirk’s long ball efforts were top notch as she drove two home runs and added a base hit and a sacrifice fly. Seymour was brilliant through the day, working a walk, two base hits, a double, a triple and an RBI.Martel was exceptional on both sides of the plate, tallying nine strikeouts and three walks on the mound, as well as three base hits, a walk and an RBI.The Highlanders playoff win brings their overall season record to 19-2.