One must admire student-athletes who pay their dues by showing up at practices and cheering on teammates, all while waiting patiently for their literal turn at-bat - that opportunity to show just how good they are.

Now in her senior season, Isabella “Izzy” Teprovich is one of those players for Northwestern softball, as she has been with the team since she was a freshman and has patiently waited for an opportunity to play every day.

Finally, her chance has come, and she took full advantage of the situation on Monday when she hit a monster home run in the Tigers’ 15-5 Colonial League win over Salisbury.

She finished the day 2-for-3 at the plate, and also contributed at first base with a spectacular grab on a line drive that was smashed down the line by Salisbury’s Sam Peiffer.

“She is doing a great job making the most of an opportunity,” said Northwestern head coach Josh Zimmerman. “She is establishing herself at the plate and at first base, and she is getting more comfortable every day.”

In the top of the fourth inning, with one out, Peiffer hit a smash that seemed destined to scream down the first base line until it reached Teprovich, who calmly reached out and plucked the ball out of the air.

“I actually did see it right off the bat and I had it all the way, so I had time to react and make the play,” said Teprovich. “On the home run, I knew she was a slower pitcher, so I just focused on staying back, and I was able to foul off anything that I didn’t like. Overall, it was a good at-bat, and I was happy about it.”

The home run came in the bottom of the fourth with four runs already in during the inning. Teprovich took a pitch on the outer portion of the plate and blasted it out to right field to give the Tigers a 12-1 advantage.

Northwestern used back-to-back big innings to put together a commanding lead. Marcie Silberman’s solo home run for Salisbury in the first put the Falcons up 1-0. Northwestern came back in the third when it collected seven hits that produced seven runs.

Riley McGinley and Sage Toman both doubled to bring in the tying run before Izzy Akelaitis singled to put runners on the corner and Morgan Farthing reached on a fielding error to make it 2-1. From there, Marissa Christman, Brynn Balliet and Olivia Stofflet all singled to drive in runs ahead of a two-run single from Teprovich to make it 7-1.

In the fourth, another fielding error opened the door for five runs with the big blows coming on an RBI single by Christman and a two-run double from Balliet. Teprovich’s home run capped the inning.

Salisbury scored three times in the top of the fifth, but the Tigers ended the game with a three-spot of their own in the bottom of the inning. A two-run homer by Farthing and an RBI single by Stofflet produced the runs.

TAKING A BREATHER ... Neumoyer started on the mound in place of Balliet, who is normally the team’s pitcher. The rationale from Zimmerman is that games are going to start backing up, and keeping Balliet fresh will be important as the team goes deeper into the season. Balliet served as the DH, and went 3-for-3 with three runs scored and two RBIs. She also came on with one out in the fifth, and got the final two outs of the inning.

RAINY DAYS AND GAME DAYS … Zimmerman has been happy with the overall play of his team, but points out there are always things that can be done better. The problem is getting an opportunity to work on those things in practice. “It seems like the only time we can get outside is on game days,” said Zimmerman. “Between rain and the field being too wet and just cold weather, it’s been a tough start.”

Salisbury 100 04 - 5 7 3

Northwestern 007 53 - 15 15 0

Lipkin, Carney (4) and M. Silberman; Neumoyer, Balliet (5) and Stofflet; W - Neumoyer. L - Lipkin. HR: Salisbury - Silberman 2 (1st, none on; 5th, three on); Northwestern - Teprovich (4th, none on), Farthing (5th, one on).