MIDLAND, Mich.  – The Purdue Northwest softball team lost both games of a conference doubleheader Wednesday as they visited the Northwood Timberwolves. NU won the first game 5-4 in eight innings, and took down the Pride again in game two, winning 6-2.

GAME ONE: NU 5, PNW 4 (8)

First basemen Kalyn Learnard got the Black and Gold going early with a solo home run to left center in the third at-bat of the game. Reigning GLIAC Player of the Week Madison Schultz struck again in the fourth as her base hit up the middle drove home Zoee Anderson.

NU tied the game in the bottom half of the fourth on a fellow base hit into center field which drove home a pair of Timberwolves.

Schultz came in big once again in the top of the sixth inning as she doubled home Zoee Anderson, the second time she brought home the senior centerfielder with an RBI. Taylor Mendenhall added an RBI single and it was 4-2 PNW after the top half.

Grace Dutoi smacked a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh that tied the game and forced the conference foes to play extra innings.

After coming up empty in the top of the eighth, 3B Chase Schultz knocked a single through the right side that gave NU the walk-off, 5-4 victory.

Mia Stevens got the start for the Pride and went four innings allowing five hits and two earned runs, but freshman Ashley Bravo took the loss after allowing three runs on six hits in three innings of relief.

GAME TWO: NU 6, PNW 2

Despite amassing more hits than Northwood in the second game of the day, the Pride were plagued by three costly errors.

Zoee Anderson got PNW on the board in the top of the third first with an RBI double bringing Heather O'Kelly across. However, NU matched and then overtook PNW with six runs in the bottom half, including several scoring plays that happened due to fielding errors.

It was really a pitcher's duel outside of that disastrous third inning, as PNW got the only run the game featured the rest of the way. Taylor Kotzo got an RBI single in the top of the sixth that made the score 6-2, but that would be your final.

Courtney Blackwell went the complete game, striking out three while allowing six runs on seven hits with four walks.

PNW falls to 3-3 in GLIAC play and will continue conference play Saturday as they travel to play No. 7 Grand Valley State Saturday for a doubleheader. First pitch will be at 12 p.m. CT from Allendale, Mich.