Game 1 Box
Game 2 Box

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – The Northern State University Wolves kicked off the 2010 season on Friday, taking on St. Cloud State University in a non-conference doubleheader.  The Huskies claimed a 9-1 victory in five innings in the opener, then held on to escape with a tight 1-0 win in the night-cap to sweep the doubleheader.

NSU took the early lead in game one.  Sophomore Ashley Gabler led off the game with a ringing double, then advanced to third on a Rachel South grounder to third.  The Huskies' Heather Trobec then retired NSU first baseman Brittany Huback, but could not get out of the inning unscathed, as sophomore Whitney Luhring singled home Gabler to put the Wolves on the scoreboard.

That, however, would be a short-lived lead.  The Huskies scored two in their half of the first and never looked back.  SCSU tacked on an insurance run in the second and five more in the fourth to solidify the victory.

Game 2 was a much tighter affair.  The Huskies took the early lead this time, getting what would prove to be the game-winning run in the first inning.

NSU created a chance to tie things up in the fifth inning, putting runners at the corners with one out, but was unable to capitalize.  SCSU's Trobec induced Gabler into a pop-up for the second out before getting a called third strike to end the inning and the threat.

The Wolves knocked around eight hits in that game, including a 3-for-3 performance from center fielder Brooke Norris.  Designated player Michelle Stratton also collected her first two hits of the season.

Sophomore Rachel South went the distance on the mound for the Wolves, giving up just five hits and striking out three in six innings of work.

NSU continues their season this weekend at the SCSU Husky Dome Invitational.  The Wolves take on the University of Wisconsin-Superior Saturday at 11 a.m.