Vikings shut out St. Norbert to claim doubleheader split

DE PERE, Wis. — Kara Vance tossed a three-hit shutout in the nightcap to lead Lawrence University to a Midwest Conference doubleheader split with St. Norbert College on Wednesday.

The Green Knights won the opener 6-3, and Lawrence took the nightcap 3-0 in eight innings at Mel Nicks Field.

Vance allowed a first-inning and two hits in the eighth to record her first shutout of the season. She walked one and did not strike out a batter.

The game was scoreless to the top of the eighth when the Vikings (16-10, 7-5 MWC) struck for three runs against St. Norbert starter Brianna Byrne, who took the loss.

Cory Paquette, who went 2-for-3 in the nightcap, got things started with a single. The Vikings then loaded the bases on a walk and an error with one out. Anna Wawiorka drew a walk to force in Paquette and make it 1-0. Amanda Jaskolski followed with a two-run single and Lawrence led 3-0.

Vance allowed a lead-off single in the bottom of the eighth, but Abby Gildernick then grounded into a double play. After another single, Vance got a ground out to end the game.

In the opener, Jessica DeMeuse and Emily Laufer homered for the Green Knights (14-15, 8-4), who built a 6-2 lead after three innings.

Jaskolski blasted a two-run homer, her sixth of the season, to give Lawrence a 2-0 lead in the top of the first. Tierney Duffy also picked up a pair of hits for the Vikings.

Morgan Rusch allowed four hits and went the distance to get the win for St. Norbert. Liz Barthels went the distance and took the loss.

Game one box score

Game two box score