Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score

ABERDEEN, S.D. – In two games that went down to the final inning and one that needed an extra inning to be decided, the Northern State Wolves (10-12, 1-1 NSIC) picked up arguably the biggest win of the season by splitting with #22 Augustana College (21-4, 1-1 NSIC). The Vikings earned an eight inning 4-3 victory while the Wolves picked up a 5-4 victory in game 2.

The Vikings picked the first three runs of the first game, one each in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings.

Northern State, down 0-3 heading into the bottom of the sixth got a run back off of two hits and an Augustana error. Brittany Huback got the inning started with by hitting a hard single to right field. Huback was advanced to second base when Kelsey Robling hit a single to the shortstop. Huback scooted over to third on a fielder's choice from Whitney Luhring. Huback finished her journey around the bases as Lindsey Hubler reached base on an error from the Augustana shortstop.

The Wolves pulled even with the Vikings in the bottom of the seventh inning. Ashley Gabler started the Wolves off with a single to left field. After two outs and down to their last out, Huback stepped into the plate and ripped a double to centerfield scoring Gabler. Huback then tied the game after she was hit home by Robling.

However, the Wolves would fall in the extra frame as Augustana scooted a run across in the eighth for the 4-3 victory.

Kami Smesmo pitched the complete game for the Wolves, striking out seven and walking just two. Smesmo scattered 10 hits for four runs, only two of which were earned.

Offensively, the Wolves were aided with 3-for-4 efforts from both Robling and Luhring while Huback had two hits and two runs scored.

The second game of the afternoon saw the Wolves pull out the upset over Augustana.

Augustana once again hit the scoreboard first as they scooted a run across in the second inning. The Vikings, however, saw the Wolves come back with vengeance.

In the bottom of the third, the Wolves tattooed the ball for three runs. Gabler reached base on an error from the Viking second basemen and was followed by a single from Caitlin Moran. With Huback at the plate and wanting a boost of energy, Coach Kristi Villar put on the double steal that saw Moran and Gabler swipe second and third, respectively. Huback followed the move with a single to right field, a two run RBI.

Huback scored on a sac fly to the left fielder from Luhring, to give the Wolves the 3-1 lead.

Augustana retaliated with two runs of their own in the next half inning to tie the game right back up at 3-3.

Northern State picked up two more runs in the bottom of the fifth to break the tie. Moran singled to center field and was followed with a double coming from the bat of Brooke Norris, as she slapped a hit into left field, scoring Moran. Norris was moved from second to third on Brittany Huback's third hit of the game. Norris then scored on a fielder's choice from Kelsey Robling.

The Vikings countered with a home run to right-center field to bring the score to a 5-4 Wolves lead. Augustana had one final opportunity to make a run but was put out by Norris who made a diving play at second base to stop a sure ground ball into centerfield, then swiftly set her glove on the bag for the force out.

Kelli Bornander was credited with the victory, pitching five innings, giving up just three hits and striking out two. Of the three runs that were scored on her, just one was an earned run.

The Wolves were also led by Brittany Huback with a perfect 3-3 effort, driving in two runs and scoring one of her own. Also aiding the Wolves was Moran with two runs scored on two hits.

Northern State will return to the diamond Sunday with a double header against Wayne State wit first pitch scheduled for 12 p.m. in Aberdeen.