Rockhurst exploded for seven runs with two outs in the seventh inning to defeat Northwest Missouri State, 9-2, in the first game of a doubleheader Wednesday in Maryville, Mo. Gina Mackevicius broke a 2-all deadlock with a two-run double in the seventh. Natalie Johnson widened the lead to 7-2 with a a three-run home run.

Lizzy Tucker gave the Hawks a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer in the sixth. Johnson, Tucker and Sadie Applegate led the Hawks with two hits apiece. Kayla Hoyer improved her record at 8-7, while holding the Bearcats to seven hits and striking out three.

Northwest Missouri won the second game, 6-0, on a three-hit shutout. Megan Holm allowed five runs as her record fell to 2-10. The Hawks, 10-19 and 7-9 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, return to conference play at Illinois Springfield on Saturday, March 31.