Northwood Wins Final Matchup In Florida To Split Last Day At The Spring Games

OVERVIEW – Wayne St. (Neb.) / Queens (N.Y.)

SCORES: Wayne St. (Neb.) 6, Northwood 5 / Northwood 5, Queens (N.Y.) 0

RECORDS: Northwood (6-10), Wayne St. (Neb.) (19-4), Queens (N.Y.) (0-7)

LOCATION: Miss Bartow Softball Complex – Bartow, Fla.

RECAP: The Northwood softball team closed out its Florida trip Wednesday (March 11) with a 6-5 walk-off loss to Wayne State (Neb.) in the morning before bouncing back for a 5-0 shutout victory over Queens (N.Y.) in the afternoon.

GAME ONE HIGHLIGHTS – WAYNE ST. (NEB.)

• The Timberwolves used a five-run third inning to build an early advantage. Brinley Eckerman started the frame with a base hit before Delanie Gale lined a two-run home run to right-center to give Northwood a 2-0 lead. This was her first home run of the year and 16^th of her career.
• Ashley Ziel later worked a walk, and a pitch hit Jenna Kowalski to put two runners on. Ashlyn Lundquist followed with an RBI single up the middle to push the lead to 3-0. Abby Robinson then ripped a two-run double into the gap in left-center, plating Lundquist and Kowalski as the Timberwolves stretched the lead to 5-0.
• Wayne State answered with two runs in the bottom of the third inning and added two more in the fifth to cut the Timberwolves' lead to 5-4.
• After the five-run third, the Northwood offense went quiet as the Timberwolves were limited to just two hits over the final four innings and were unable to add to their lead.
• Wayne State completed the comeback in the bottom of the seventh with a two-run home run to walk it off and secure the 6-5 victory.

GAME ONE STATS

• Runs/Hits/Errors: Northwood 5/6/3, Wayne State (Neb.) 6/11/1
• Runners left on base: Northwood 6, Wayne State (Neb.) 8
• Winning Pitcher – Coleman, T. (5-1) 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
• Losing Pitcher – Kamden Binney (4-4) 6.1 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

TOP NU PERFORMERS

• Delanie Gale: 1-4, R, HR, 2 RBI
• Abby Robinson: 1-2, 2 RBI, 2B
• Ashlyn Lundquist: 1-4, R, RBI
• Brinley Eckerman: 1-3, R

GAME TWO HIGHLIGHTS - QUEENS

• The Timberwolves struck early in the bottom of the first inning. Brinley Eckerman opened the frame with a double to right field before Ashley Ziel drew a walk. Jenna Kowalski followed with an RBI single to bring home Eckerman for the first run of the game. Later in the inning, Ziel came around to score on a fielding error as Northwood took a 2-0 lead.
• Northwood added another run in the third inning. Delanie Gale reached and advanced to third before Ziel grounded out to second base to drive in the run, pushing the Timberwolves' advantage to 3-0.
• The Timberwolves added insurance in the sixth inning. Ashlyn Lundquist worked a walk, and Meridith Frey laid down a bunt single before stealing second. Both runners later came around to score on an infield error, extending the lead to 5-0.
• Dalaney Gage delivered a strong performance in the circle, tossing her first career complete-game shutout. She allowed just four hits while striking out nine and walking one.

GAME TWO STATS

• Runs/Hits/Errors: Northwood 5/3/0, Queens (N.Y.) 0/4/3
• Runners left on base: Northwood 4, Queens (N.Y.) 6
• Winning Pitcher – Dalaney Gage (1-3) 7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 9 K
• Losing Pitcher – Caylea Campbell (0-3) 6.0 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 5 K

TOP NU PERFORMERS

• Jenna Kowalski: 1-3, RBI
• Brinley Eckerman: 1-3, R, 2B
• Meridith Frey: 1-1, R, SB
• Ashley Ziel: RBI, R, BB

NORTHWOOD NOTES AND CAREER MARKS TRACKER

• Several Timberwolves continue to climb the Northwood softball record books during the 2026 season. With her home run versus Wayne St. (Neb.) Delanie Gale is now tied for seventh in program history for career home runs. She ties Sam Zaborowski (2011-14), Northwood Hall of Famer, Tara Tigner (1997-00), and Kyan Flynn (1992-95).
• Ashley Ziel moved into sole fourth with 193 career hits, passing Tiffany Honey (192 - 1999-02).
• The senior duo of Ziel and Gale are now tied with 111 RBI apiece, tying Lisa Herner (1989-93) for fourth all-time.

UP NEXT

• Northwood softball continues its season on Saturday, March 21, with a home opening doubleheader against Lake Erie, starting at 12:00 p.m., followed by game two. Fans can enjoy Proper Taco food truck on-site during the games in Midland.